NCDHHS Introduces Regional Directors to Strengthen Local DSS Agencies

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte presenta a los directores regionales para fortalecer las agencias locales de departamentos de servicios sociales, y mejorar los resultados para los niños y las familias

RALEIGH — The NC Department of Health and Human Services this week completed the successful hiring of seven regional directors who will provide vital support to North Carolina’s 100 local departments of social services. These regional directors will work closely with county DSS directors and their agencies to enhance leadership, build capacity and strengthen service delivery to improve outcomes for children and families across the state.

The transition to a regional support model for social services is part of the ongoing implementation of Rylan’s Law, legislation passed by the NC General Assembly to address significant challenges within the state’s county-administered child welfare and social services systems. The law empowers NCDHHS to develop regional support teams that provide regular supervision, assistance and training to local leaders who oversee the administration of child welfare and social services in their communities.

"These regional directors are a critical part of our broader efforts to support county DSS agencies, assist with improving their systems and processes, and share best practices between counties," said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Susan G. Osborne. "By focusing on quality improvement and collaboration, we are creating more effective and sustainable practices that will lead to better outcomes for North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations."

The regional directors will serve as a primary point of contact for collaboration between NCDHHS and local DSS offices. In addition to providing coaching, policy guidance and operational support, regional directors and their teams are uniquely positioned to identify systemic issues or trends in service delivery across the state and create solutions tailored to the specific needs of each county.

The regional model also enables NCDHHS to better track the direct impacts of the statewide staffing crisis, regional gaps in access to services and other challenges that affect outcomes for children and families. The goal is to build a system that ensures continuous quality improvement and accountability at both the county and state level.

Each of the seven new regional directors has previously served as a county DSS director and, on average, has more than 25 years of experience administering social services in North Carolina. The team is part of the NCDHHS Division of Social Services and will be overseen by Lead Regional Director Ben Rose, who also brings more than 32 years of county experience to his position within the department.

"Our regional directors already have valuable firsthand experience and strong credibility with the regions they support, ensuring we are able to offer relevant, trusted guidance to county DSS directors across the state," said Director Rose. "Our goal is to empower these local leaders with the tools and support they need to build consistent, high-quality services for children and families, while also strengthening the social services system overall."

Regional support is a critical step forward in NCDHHS’ ongoing effort to transform the child welfare system in North Carolina. By providing insight into county procedures and everyday operations, the regional model offers more opportunity for state staff to pinpoint issues in child welfare practice sooner and offer real-time corrections. In addition to transitioning to a regional support model, NCDHHS continues to work to create large-scale, systemic change across the child welfare system. Current initiatives include:

Expanding Prevention Services

• NCDHHS is investing in evidence-based programs administered by community agencies to support families with services that can prevent child maltreatment. 

• As part of North Carolina’s Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) plan, the department recently launched Homebuilders, a program that provides intensive family preservation and reunification services. 

• The department is also piloting the Sobriety, Treatment, and Recovery Team (START) model in select counties to improve outcomes for families with substance use disorder and co-occurring child maltreatment. 

Workforce Development 

• A redesigned Pre-Service Training has been implemented statewide to better train and prepare social workers entering the child welfare workforce. 

• The department’s Practice Standards provide ongoing support and training throughout a social worker’s career in child welfare. 

• Revisions are being made to the state Structured Decision-Making Tools to support child welfare workers in improving accuracy, consistency and speed of screening decisions and risk assessments.

• The department is reinstating the stipend for North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative scholars at three universities with plans to further extend the program to reach additional students.

Transforming Behavioral Health Services 

• NCDHHS is investing $80 million to improve access to services for children with complex behavioral health needs and their families. 

• Investments in programs like intensive alternative family treatment, professional foster care, family peers and other home- and community-based services will help children remain in or return to a home-like setting. 

• The department launched a DSS Emergency Placement Fund pilot program, distributing $7.9 million to support counties to improve placements for children in DSS custody who have complex needs. 

• NCDHHS is also developing a new statewide trauma-informed assessment for any child entering foster care.

Building Infrastructure 

• PATH NC, a new statewide child welfare information system, is being developed to streamline operations and align data across all 100 counties. 

• The NC Medicaid Managed Care Children and Families Specialty Plan ensures Medicaid-enrolled children in the child welfare system receive coordinated, seamless health care.

• With support from the NC General Assembly, unlicensed kinship providers can now receive financial support for providing placements for youth in foster care.

Members of the media interested in learning more about the NCDHHS regional directors and their role within the North Carolina social services system are encouraged to contact news@dhhs.nc.gov to schedule a media availability with Director Rose.