Statement on Nash County ​Department of Social Services | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH     Effective Tuesday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Nash County Department of Social Services, as authorized under state law.

    Nash County leadership was provided this letter earlier today and they expressed support of this temporary action by the state.

    "Our top priority is the well-being of children and families in North Carolina, and we take very seriously our role in providing safety for the children involved in the child welfare system," said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "Taking this urgent, temporary action will help us work collaboratively with Nash County leadership to strengthen the county's ability to deliver child welfare services and guarantee the safety of children."

    NCDHHS has been working closely with Nash County DSS since March 2023 to address serious concerns over their practice and delivery of child welfare services. Nash County DSS has not made progress toward addressing these concerns resulting in a substantial threat to the safety and welfare of children. Due to the urgency of this situation, NCDHHS is taking action to assume control over Nash County's child welfare services and will be on site on Sept. 12, 2023.

    "We have a shared mission to better protect and serve children involved in the Nash County child welfare system," said Nash County Manager Stacie Shatzer. "We support the state in this temporary action to make sure children in Nash County are safe, and we welcome the additional support and training our staff will receive through this process."

    "Given the critical jobs performed by our very hard-working and dedicated child welfare services teams, we look forward to collaborating with NCDHHS to strengthen our work with vulnerable children and families," said Nash County Board Chair Robbie B. Davis.

    NCDHHS staff will be on site at the Nash County Department of Social Services during this interim period and will work closely with staff to manage and stabilize child welfare services and develop a plan to bring it into compliance with all applicable laws and appropriate practices. This temporary action is authorized under N.C. 108A-74.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• 2001 Mail Service Center
• Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
• Ph: (919) 855-4840
• news@dhhs.nc.gov