At-risk adults are persons age 18 and older who are unable to provide or obtain services necessary for their health, safety, and welfare OR who lack the capacity to make or understand responsible decisions are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Conditions that increase risk include dementia, physical or medical frailty, developmental disabilities, brain injury, behavioral disorders, and mental illness.
Carteret County DSS receives and evaluates reports to determine whether disabled adults are in need of protective services and what services are needed. During the evaluation of a report, the social worker will assess the individual's circumstances and need for protective services. The worker will work with the individual and family or caregiver to identify, remedy and prevent problems which result in abuse, neglect or exploitation, mobilizing essential services on behalf of the individual.
