Children & Family Services

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Baby LINKS

The Department of Health & Human Services Baby LINKS program provides skilled nursing assessments for postpartum mothers and newborns and ‘Links’ new mothers in Dare County to available support services while providing all new parents with parenting education and information.

Birth Certificates

Contact the Register of Deeds office if you are seeking a certified copy of a birth certificate for a birth occurring in Dare County. 

Care Coordination for Children

Our CC4C program works to improve your child’s care by linking you to services that will meet the specific needs of your child and family. Care Coordination for Children (CC4C) is offered at no charge for children birth to five years of age.

Care Management Services

Our nurse case manager collaborates with primary care providers to respond to referrals from hospitals, other healthcare entities, and self-referrals.

Child Day Care Services

North Carolina's Division of Child Development uses a combination of state and federal funds to provide subsidized child care services to eligible families through a locally administered state-supervised voucher system. The amount of funding allocated to each county is determined by legislation.

Child Health

The Department of Health & Human Services Child Health program provides preventative health services, physical and developmental assessments to identify and minimize potential health risks for infants and children.

Child Protective Services

Reports of abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18 are assessed with the goal of protecting children from physical and sexual abuse and neglect.

Children's Dental Van - Miles of Smiles 

The Miles of Smiles Dental Van service offers easier access to dental care for children of Dare County. The mobile van meets patients where they are—at school. The Miles of Smiles van works with your child to create a stress free environment while promoting good oral health.

Children's Environmental Health

The Department of Health & Human Services Children's Environmental Health Program supports several programs for the protection of children's health. Our Environmental Health Specialists inspects the establishments such as school cafeterias and buildings, daycares, residential care and foster family homes.

Community of Juvenile Services

The Community of Juvenile Services program serves adjudicated and pre-adjudicated at-risk youth by holding them accountable for their actions while providing counseling services and interpersonal skills training that address the risk factors contributing to delinquent behavior in our youth. 

Early Care & Education Initiative

Early Care & Education Initiative provides support to Day Cares and Preschools through the development and implementation of policies to support wellness (nutrition and physical activity). Positive Action, an evidence-based substance abuse prevention curriculum, is provided in the Day Cares and Preschools that participate in the initiative. The program is a character education curriculum comprised of age appropriate lessons on topics such as substance abuse, medication safety, physical activity, and nutrition.

Emergency Services

Emergency assistance programs provide eligible families experiencing a financial crisis with assistance in paying utilities, rent/mortgage, obtaining transportation to medical appointments, and providing food vouchers.

ePass

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services uses an online benefit estimator tool ePass that can help determine whether you might be eligible for benefits. Actual eligibility determination must be done at the Department of Social Services.

Estates

The Clerk of Court Estates Division assists in handling probate matters, including settlement and administration of a decedent’s estate, incompetent’s estates, probate of wills, administration of small estates, spouse’s year’s allowance, inventories/accountings, and other estate matters. 

Family In-Home Services

In-Home Services are legally mandated and provided to families who have had a substantiation of abuse, neglect or dependency or a finding of in need of services due to safety issues.

Family Support Services

Our Family Support Services program is a voluntary program available to families residing in Dare County with at least one child under 18 years of age in the home. This intensive program focuses on increasing the family stability, strengthening family relationships, identifying support systems and consistently meeting the needs of the family.

Fishing License

The Social Services Division can issue a fishing license for North Carolina residents who are currently receiving full Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, or Work First Family Assistance. 

Food & Nutrition Services

Food & Nutrition Services helps low-income families or individuals buy food. Families must meet income, resource, citizenship, and work rules. Eligible households receive monthly benefits on a debit card allowing them to purchase approved food items.

Foster Care

The Department of Health & Human Services Foster Care program is a child welfare service which provides substitute care for children when their own family or legal custodian cannot care for them.

Health Check

The Department of Health and Human Services' Health Check services improve access to care by assisting families with children through age 19 in obtaining health insurance coverage, periodic well child checkups, specialized medical services, dental care, age appropriate immunizations and transportation.

Immunizations

The Department of Health and Human Services' Immunization Program promotes public health through the elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, hepatitis B, measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, tetanus, rubella (German measles), and mumps.

Independent Living

A child may remain in foster care until the age of eighteen, if adoption or other permanent plan is not seen as an option. Teens in foster care receive LINKS services to assist them in preparing for their future.

LifeStories for Kids

LifeStories for Kids is an award-winning, evidence-based multimedia classroom-based character education program that combines evidence-based practices for developing prosocial skills with the ancient art of storytelling. The curriculum promotes healthy behavioral, social, and emotional stability in youth and is currently being piloted in three schools through a partnership with Dare County Schools.

Juvenile Crime Prevention Council 

The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the risks and needs of juvenile in the county who are adjudicated or at-risk of delinquency and to identify local resources to address gaps in the service continuum. 

Maternal Health Services

Our Maternal Health program targets uninsured and underinsured pregnant women to prevent maternal and infant morbidity and mortality through early and consistent access to prenatal and postpartum care. Early prenatal care helps to ensure healthy outcomes for women and babies.

North Carolina Health Choice

NC Health Choice provides insurance for children who are not eligible for Medicaid and are not covered by any other health insurance. This insurance covers a wide range of medical care including doctor's care, hospitalization, prescription medicine, and dental and eye care.

Parks and Recreation

Dare County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of affordable programs and activities for individuals and families. Enjoy the outdoors at a local park, participate in one of the adult or youth leagues or enjoy a specialized class.

Peer Power

Peer Power is a peer health education program where high school students are trained as health educators to positively influence elementary and middle school student’s health behaviors related to: nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug usage.

Physicals & Health Assessments

Health assessments are conducted to make sure that your child is healthy, ready to learn, and is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations. Sports physical are conducted to identify medical or musculoskeletal conditions that might make participation in a particular sport unsafe, to screen for any previously undetected health problem, and to assure that any previous injuries have been adequately rehabilitated so that the athlete is not at risk for further injury.

Pregnancy Care Management (PCM)

The Department of Health and Human Services' PCM program is a support program that focuses on helping pregnant women access health care services and resources. The program is available to Medicaid eligible women who are pregnant or have delivered in the last 60 days with identified risks to the health of mother or baby, and is provided at no cost. Our specially trained registered nurse provides education, referrals, and support for women who need information, help with pregnancy care and resources to support their health. 

Reading Resources & Programs

The Dare County libraries offer a wide selection of children’s books for every interest and reading ability. Every summer the children can participate in the free Summer Reading Program. 

School Health Nursing

The Department of Health & Human Services provides health services to Dare County Public School students by stationing public health nurses in each school. We are proud to provide services that includes screening, evaluation, treatment, health education and case management for students with chronic diseases and/or other special health care needs.  

Teen Court

Dare County Teen Court is an alternative system of justice helping to change the lives of juvenile first-time offenders in Dare County. Student volunteers, under adult supervision, take on responsible leadership roles in teen court, serving as jurors, clerk of court, bailiff, defense attorneys and prosecuting attorneys.

Transportation

The Dare County Transportation System provides a daily Rural General Public demand response service that is a curb to curb, ride by appointment transportation service. This service is available to all Dare County residents and visitors for any purpose.

Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods for you and your family. WIC is available for: women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby; infants from birth to one year of age; and children from one year of age to their fifth birthday.

Women’s Health & Family Planning

Our Family Planning Services Include routine annual visits for women’s health, STD screenings and treatment; breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraceptive & birth control options, and pregnancy testing.

Work First Benefits

The Work First Program offers support for adults towards obtaining and maintaining employment, to move families from dependence on public assistance to economic self-sufficiency.

Youth Work Permits

The state has implemented a new system whereby youths can obtain a Youth Employment Certificate (Work Permit) via the internet.