The Department of Social Services is dedicated to helping those citizens in need to meet basic financial and social needs; to providing a safety net for children, the disabled, the elderly, and the poor; to maintaining the integrity of families; and to helping individuals become self–sufficient.

The Department of Social Services is dedicated to helping those citizens in need to meet basic financial and social needs; to providing a safety net for children, the disabled, the elderly, and the poor; to maintaining the integrity of families; and to helping individuals become self–sufficient.

Protective Services to Children is a program which investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The agency attempts to correct abusive or neglectful situations by methods ranging from counseling, day care or other services to the family to removing children from their homes through court action.

Protective Services to Disabled Adults is a program which investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults. Services cannot be provided unless the adult consents, except in cases where the adult is incapable of making that choice and a court orders services.

Adoption Services involves placing children who are cleared for adoption with qualified adoptive parents. Most children who are placed are older children, as infants are rarely available. There is a fee for some adoption services.

The Foster Home Program is responsible for licensing foster homes through the state and placing children who need foster care. The number of homes available varies from year to year.

Other services include homemaker services, purchase of day care for eligible children, interstate placement of children (foster care, adoption, or runaways), work release (investigation of family needs), services to adults (including placement in rest homes or nursing homes), maternity home services for women with problem pregnancies, issuance of work permits for minors, and certification for eye care.