The Warren County Department of Social Services Food Stamp Program is designed to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well being of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. County Departments of Social Services have direct responsibility for:

• Determining the eligibility of applicants for the program;
• Periodically reviewing such eligibility determinations;
• Authorizing food stamp benefits to those certified as eligible
• Providing recipient training in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
• Providing every applicant and participating household an opportunity for a fair hearing in accordance with policy

CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM (CIP)

• This program is for households in a heating or cooling-related emergency who have income equal to or less than 150% of the poverty level.
• Eligible households can get up to $300 in assistance during the state fiscal year (July through June) to help with fuel costs and electric bills.
• Benefits must be authorized within 18 hours to households experiencing a life-threatening crisis and within 48 hours if the crisis is considered non life-threatening.

CAROLINA POWER AND LIGHT PROJECT SHARE (PROJECT SHARE)

• Project Share is funded 100% from monies contributed by CP&L and North Carolina Natural Gas (NCNG) customers and employees and from corporate donations. Allocations are made only to counties that have CP&L And NCNG residential customers.
• This program is for households in a heating or cooling-related emergency who have income at or below 150% of the poverty level.
• Benefits cannot exceed $300 per application and $600 per year
• Funds remaining after heating season (November 1 through May 31) may be used for cooling needs. Households may receive $300 in cooling assistance if they have not received the $600 maximum benefit prior to the cooling season. Cooling season is defined as June 1 through October 31.
• CP&L funds can be used in lieu of or in combination with CIP funds if the client is a CP&L customer.

LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP)

• This program pays a check once a year to eligible low-income households to help with their heating bills.
• Many families getting food stamps receive this check automatically, without a separate application
• Applications are taken once a year in the Fall
• Eligible households receive their checks in February

EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM (FEMA)

• The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies.
• These funds are used for emergency sheltering, rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts
• DSS must provide services, maintain records, and submit reports in accordance with guidelines set forth in FEMA manual

Contact: Lora Edwards, Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor (252) 257-5000 ext. 5028
For more information select this link : Food Stamp Unit

This program helps eligible Warren County families with medical bills such as doctor fees, prescription drugs, hospital charges, and nursing home care. There are several different types of Medicaid (Medical Assistance). All have income limits, and some have resource limits. Your caseworker will explain these to you.

1. Persons who are eligible will get a Medicaid card each month. Medicaid can also cover medical bills from the three months before the month you apply.
2. Families with children through age 20. The parent may be able to receive Medicaid if only one parent is in the home and the child is under age 19. Both parents may be able to receive Medicaid if both are in the home, but one of the parents is out of work or has an illness or injury; unemployment and underemployment.
3. Children through age 20 who live with both parents or other adults.
4. Individuals through age 20 who live apart from their parents or other adults.
5. Children under age 1 whose parents' income is equal to or less than 185% of the poverty limit. The limit is higher than for older children. There is no resource limit.
6. Children from age 1 through age 5 whose parents' income is equal to or less than 133% of the poverty level. This limit is higher than for children ages 6 and over. There is no resource limit.
7. Children from age six through age 18 whose parents' income is equal to or less than 100% of the poverty level. There is no resource limit.
8. Pregnant women, with or without other children. The income limit is 185% of the poverty level. There is no resource limit.
9. Newborn child of a Medicaid authorized mother - Automatic coverage of newborn (M-AF or M-IC)

Contact: Alice Abbott, Children’s Medicaid Supervisor (252) 257-5000 ext. 5029
For more information: Family and Children’s Medicaid

Work First Family Assistance began in Warren County on January 1, 1997 as indicated by North Carolina’s Work First Implementation Schedule for counties. Even though the program has existed a relatively short time, success of the program has come through the efforts of many agencies, groups, and individuals that provided invaluable advice, shared thoughts and ideas.

Recognize the many economic, social and financial barriers currently confronting Warren County, efforts have been made to develop the most comprehensive plan to include a wide range of educational, training and job opportunities necessary to enable many WFFA recipients to reach goals of increased self-sufficiency, reduction in the time spent on public assistance and improved social functioning.

The mission of the Department of Social Service (DSS) is to provide an integrated system of opportunities, services and income supports that enable recipients to develop self-sufficiency and achieve and maintain independence. Thus all efforts will be client centered with the greatest possible degree of flexibility to ensure “success” for people rather than program. When participants are successful, Work First Family Assistance will be a success.

Work First is North Carolina State's welfare reform program that helps financially struggling families find jobs, keep their jobs, get better jobs and build a better life for their children.

Work First Employment

Work First Employment Services assists with training, work experience, and supportive casework services to enable Work First Family Assistance recipients to become self-sufficient and self-supporting. This program is administered by the Warren County Department of Social Services. Work is required for families on welfare. Work First is based on the premise that parents have a responsibility to support themselves and their children. Through Work First, parents can get short-term training and families can get childcare assistance and other services to help them become self-sufficient, but ultimately the responsibility is theirs, and most families have two years to move off welfare. In any given months, depending on how many families come into the system, how long they stay, and how many leave, the number of families on welfare rises or falls.

Recognizing this, Work First emphasizes three strategies:

1. Diversion: Keeping families off welfare by helping them cope with unexpected emergencies or setbacks. Under Work First, qualifying families a can get up to three months worth of cash Diversion Assistance, childcare, Food Stamp benefits, and Medicaid, if they stay off welfare.
2. Work: Shortening the length of time that families are on welfare by making work mandatory and by limiting how long a family can receive cash assistance. To receive Work First benefits, parents must register with the First Stop Employment Assistance Program, sign a Mutual Responsibility Agreement, and once they move into the phased-in work requirement; they can continue to receive benefits for up to 24 months. Families reaching the 24-month limit cannot reapply for welfare for three years.
3. Retention: Helping families that leave welfare to stay off by encouraging them to save and by helping to maintain permanent employment.

Work First Family Assistance

Work First Family Assistance is a time limited cash assistance program for families with dependent children with an emphasis on job placement for all recipients. Work First Family Assistance also includes referrals to other helping agencies in the community.

Family Assistance Services Include:

• Temporary aid cash assistance
• Referrals to other helping agencies in the community

NC Health Choice (NCHC)

North Carolina Health Choice is health coverage that is to be provided under the federal Title XXI program, which was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, signed into law by Governor Hunt and approved by the United States Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The program was implemented in October 1998, allowing families to obtain health coverage for their children who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid and not covered by comprehensive health insurance.

In addition to family income eligibility, children must have been uninsured for two months prior to their application, unless the child has special needs that must be verified by a health care professional. It must be determined the child or children are not qualified for Medicaid.

There are essentially two countable income levels. If the family's countable income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, there is no fee required. If the family's countable income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, there is a fee of $50.00 for one child and $100.00 for two or more children.

North Carolina Health Choice is important to working families who cannot afford health care for their children. With out health coverage, babies may not get the checkups that make sure they are growing healthy and strong. Families may wait until a child is very sick before seeking medical help, sometimes getting help only in an emergency. Untreated illnesses can have long-lasting consequences, such as hearing loss caused by ear infections.

Contact: Alice Abbott, Work First Supervisor (252) 257-5000 ext. 5029
For more information: Work First Services

The purpose Adult Medicaid is to determine eligibility for those individuals who meet the income and reserve criteria as set forth by state and federal guidelines. Medicaid helps pay medical bills for some people who have low income and cannot afford health care. These incomes and reserve limits can range anywhere from 100% to 135% of the federal poverty level, depending on the particular Medicaid program. Adult Medicaid helps provide medical care for the elderly, people who are blind or disabled, and people who need help with rest home costs and nursing home costs. Note: Medicaid pays for medical services only, and can be used in conjunction with other health insurance (including Medicare). Eligibility guidelines are determined by federal and state government standards and are monitored by the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance.

What do you need to apply for adult Medicaid?
The process of making an application for Medicaid can be complex and require a considerable amount of information. Here is a list of information that may be needed in making an application.

• Recent medical bills
  - Statements and payments made to medical providers
  - Canceled checks to medical providers
  - Health insurance receipts
  - Proof of medical transportation costs
• Proof of income for the last several months
  - Statement from employer
  - Copy of checks
  - Record of payments received
  - Self-employed records
• Bank statements and account numbers
  - Checking account statements for the last several months
  - Bankbooks. Current savings statements
  - Security account statements
  - Copies of stock certificates
• Life Insurance policies and policy numbers
• Social Security card or number for client and family members
• Health insurance information
  - Policy cost, statements, payments and coverage
• Proof of legal alien status (if applicable).

Medical Treatment Facility (MTF)

This includes nursing homes, hospice care, hospital stays of 30 days of more, and Community Care Services. The income limit for MTF's is adjusted annually.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

This is a financial assistance program administered by Social Security. If an individual is eligible for SSI, he or she qualifies for Medicaid automatically. Any person who may be potentially eligible for SSI will be referred to Social Security before a Medicaid application will be taken. The income maximum for SSI is adjusted annually.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)

This coverage pays an individual's Medicare CO-insurance and deductibles. It does not pay prescription drugs. The income maximum for QMB is adjusted periodically.

Adult Medically Needy

This is the one Medicaid program that has no income maximum. An individual can qualify for Medicaid if his or her medical bills exceed a certain percentage of their monthly income, which is known as the spend down. Medically Needy is limited to one month, and it only pays for bills incurred after the spenddown is met.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Age 65 or older, or be totally disabled, or be blind.
• Residing in a Medicaid approved nursing home.
• A citizen of the U.S. or a qualified alien.
• A resident of North Carolina(there is no time limit for establishing residency, only the intent to live in North Carolina).

Contact: Francine Allen, Adult Medicaid Supervisor (252) 257-5000 ext. 5030
For more information: Adult Medicaid

The Warren County Department of Social Services Adult Services Unit provides oversight of social services programs provided by the department of social services to older and disabled adults and their families across the state. Some of the services we offer such as Adult Protective Services, Adult Placement Services, Guardianship Services (when ordered by the court), and Health Support Services must be provided by all 100 county departments of social services. Others, such as At-Risk Case Management Services are provided based on county need and available resources.
County DSS offices provide many services for older and/or disabled adults who may need assistance with care. These include Guardianship Services for adults who have been determined incompetent by the court to manage their own affairs, Adult Protective Services to protect disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, In-Home Services serving elderly/disabled adults who wish to remain in their own homes, Preparation and Delivery of Meals, Foster Care for Adults, Adult Day Care/Health Services, Adult Placement Services, At-Risk Case Management Services, and Adult Care Home Case Management Services. Adult Placement Services Adult Placement Services help aging or disabled adults find appropriate living and healthcare arrangements when their health, safety, and well-being can no longer be maintained at home. Placement arrangements are made in adult care homes, nursing homes, other substitute homes, residential health care settings, or institutions. Adults and their families receive help to complete medical evaluations and financial applications, and locate and move to new settings. They also may receive counseling to help them adjust to the change.

Adult placement services also help elderly and disabled adults in the following situations:

• Those unable to maintain themselves in their own homes independently or with available community or family supports
• Those living in substitute homes, residential health care facilities, or institutions and need assistance in relocating due to changes in level of care needed
• Those who need assistance in returning to more independent living arrangements
• Those who need assistance in adjusting to or maintaining their At-Risk Case Management Services At-Risk Case Management Services assist adults and children who are at-risk or show evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services. At-Risk Case Management Services include:
• Assessing and reassessing the service needs of clients
• Developing a service plan to meet the service needs of clients
• Assisting clients in locating and contacting providers and programs for needed services
• Coordinating delivery of services when multiple providers or programs are involved in care provision
• Monitoring services to ensure that they are received, adequate to meet the client's needs, and consistent with quality care

A client must be a Medicaid recipient who is at-risk or shows evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation as defined in program policy. Criteria include impaired adults with insufficient caregiver availability; children of impaired or adolescent parents; children who have a severe medical or mental condition; and adults or children who are being abused, neglected, or exploited where a need for protection has been substantiated.

Community Alternatives Program

North Carolina operates four programs to provide home and community care as a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization. These are known as "waiver" programs because standard program requirements are waived to allow the program to operate. The waiver programs provide some services that otherwise are not covered under Medicaid. Some of the services we offer include: If you have a concern that an elderly or disabled adult is being exploited, abused or neglected, call Warren County Department of Social Services at 252-257-5000.

Contact: Charles Walton, Adult Services Supervisor (252) 257-5024
For more information: Adult Services

Child and Family Social Work Services of Warren County provides safety and permanence to children by preserving and strengthening families through family-centered, child-focused, community-based services. To maintain our standard of excellent service, we employ experienced Social Workers to help clients who require one of the following services:

• Prevention Services
• Child Protective Services
• In-Home Case Management Services
• Foster Care Placement and Reunification
• Adoption Services
• Recruitment and licensing of Foster Families

Child Protective Services

The Warren County Department of Social Services Child Protection Services Program protects children who are at risk of abuse or neglect while making every effort to keep families intact. Child Protection Services also offers referrals for counseling for families, training for adoptive or foster parents and licensing services for child welfare agencies.
The Child Protective Services program strives to ensure safe, permanent, nurturing families for children by protecting them from abuse and neglect while attempting to preserve the family unit. Child Protective Services help prevent further harm to children from intentional physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, exploitation, or neglect by a person responsible for a child's health or welfare. Child Protective Services also help protect children who have no parent, guardian, or custodian to provide care and supervision, or whose parents or guardians or custodian is unable to provide for the care or supervision and lacks an appropriate alternative childcare arrangement.

Social services staff accomplishes all these services through:

• Assessing suspected cases of abuse and neglect
• Assisting the family in diagnosing the problem
• Providing in-home counseling and supportive services to help children stay at home with their families
• Coordinating community and agency services for the family
• Petitioning the court for removal of the child, if necessary

What is Multiple Response System?

The Multiple Response System is an effort to reform the entire continuum of child welfare in North Carolina, from intake through placement services. The reform is based upon the application of family centered principles of partnership through seven strategic components of MRS. The seven strategies of Warren County DSS Multiple Response System constitutes the basis for its reformation of children's services.

Seven strategies for system reform are:

1. A choice of two approaches to reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency
2. A redesign of in-home services
3. A strengths-based, structured intake process
4. Coordination between law enforcement agencies and child protective services for the investigative assessment approach
5. Implementation of Child and Family Team meetings during the provision of in-home services
6. Implementation of Shared-Parenting meetings in child placement cases
7. Collaboration between the Work First Family Assistance and child welfare programs

Contact: Freddie Harris, CPS Supervisor (252) 257-5007
For more information: Child Protective Services

The Warren County Department of Social Services recruits families to be licensed as foster parents. Assessments and training are provided at no cost to applicant families. Warren County has licensed foster homes providing care for children in the custody of the agency. There is a need for more foster homes for children of all ages. Many foster parents adopt children in their care if adoption becomes the plan approved by the court for the child. There is also a need for specialized foster homes to provide care for delinquent and undisciplined youth. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact the agency and information will be mailed to you.

Foster Care Services are provided to ensure the safety of children in an alternative care arrangement when their safety cannot be maintained in their own home. Foster care is a temporary plan of care until the child can be safely returned to their home, be placed in the custody or guardianship of another approved caretaker or adopted.

Foster care is a temporary living arrangement for abused, neglected, and dependent children who need a safe place to live when their parents or another relative cannot take care of them. Often their families face issues such as illness, alcohol or drug addiction, or homelessness.

When the Warren County Department of Social Services (DSS) believes a child is not safe, and a judge agrees, DSS takes custody of that child and finds a foster home for him or her. Length of stay in foster care varies from a few days to much longer. Foster families are recruited, trainee and licensed to care for abused and neglected children temporarily, while their parents work with social work professionals to resolve their family issues. Relatives may be licensed as foster parents. The foster family, DSS and the birth family work together to return children to their own homes as quickly as possible. In cases where the child becomes free for adoption, foster parents may be considered as adoptive parents.

Child Placement Services for Children

We believe our foster children deserve safe, permanent, nurturing homes within one year of initial placement. To achieve this it is vital for every foster child in Warren County to have one single, stable foster care placement within his own community. These services include:

• Providing temporary homes for children in DSS custody
• Supervising children in foster care
• Providing ongoing counseling and support services to help families and children reunite and stay together
• Providing extra counseling and support for families and foster parents of children who are ill, disabled or delinquent
• Petitioning the court for legal termination of parental rights
• Making recommendations for adoption for children unable to return home
• Recruiting, screening, training potential foster parents, performing home studies, performing local criminal background checks to ensure the safety of potential foster children placed in the home, and recommending licensure of the home.

To find out how to become a licensed foster parent you can visit our Licensing web page, call NC KIDS at 1-877-NCKIDS (1-877-625-4371) or contact the Warren County Department of Social Services at (252) 257-5000. Your local County Department of Social Services can offer information that will help you decide if foster parenting is right for you.

Contact: Anita Evans, Foster Care Supervisor (252) 257-5850
For more information: Foster Care Services

Some foster children will never go back to their birth family. We are committed to the principle that every one of these children deserves a "forever family". We have the firm belief that a safe, permanent, and nurturing home can be found for any child who needs one. We also firmly believe that we are responsible for enabling this. Adoption Services are designed to find permanent homes for children and to provide support to the families who adopt them.
Children waiting for adoption include:

• Children with special needs, such as physical, mental, and emotional disabilities
• Sibling groups and teenagers
• Minority children, especially African American males

Many children available for adoption are eligible for monthly maintenance payments, medical benefits, and other services. Adoption Assistance is available for all children whose status and special needs meet certain criteria. Children who are considered special needs include children with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities as well as sibling groups, older children, and children of color. The Department of Social Services determines individual eligibility based on specific criteria. The agency then works with adoptive parents to meet needs through an adoption assistance agreement. The monthly adoption assistance payment in North Carolina is computed on a graduated level based on the age of the child. Most of North Carolina's 100 county Department of Social Services have raised their rates to the following payment structure:

$390.00 for children 0-5
$440.00 for children 6-12
$490.00 for children 13-18

Supplemental adoption assistance payments for HIV positive children are also available and are set at the following level:

$800.00 per month/child with indeterminate HIV status
$1000.00 per month/child confirmed HIV-infected, asymptomatic
$1200.00 per month/child confirmed HIV-infected, symptomatic
$1600.00 per month/child terminally ill with complex care needs

Contact: Anita Evans, Foster Care Supervisor (252) 257-5850
For more information: Adoption Services

The Warren County Department of Social Services provides a Child Daycare Program to assist families and their children with access and information to high quality childcare services, to establish eligibility, and to provide coordination of available resources, along with financial assistance for low-income families who are working, searching for employment, or in an educational activity and need child care services. The Families that receive assistance in purchasing affordable daycare can work and/or pursue training that will lead to employment and self-sufficiency.

Please call the Department of Social Services for more information or to schedule an appointment:

Sharon Burchette
Daycare Coordinator
252-257-5000

What is Smart Start?

Smart Start is North Carolina's nationally recognized initiative to ensure all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start helps working parents pay for childcare, improves the quality of childcare and provides health and family support services in every North Carolina county.
Smart Start works to ensure all children have the skills they need to be successful in school. That could include hearing, dental or developmental screenings, access to higher quality childcare and support for families.

Contact: Anita Evans, Foster Care Supervisor (252) 257-5850
For more information: Child Daycare Services