Child Protective Services

Carteret County Child Protective Services (CPS) are provided to children and their parents / caretakers in response to reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or dependency. CPS social workers assess the degree of risk to the child, work with law enforcement agencies and initiate court action when necessary.

CPS also assists the family in planning and accessing services to eliminate and / or prevent problems causing neglect, abuse, or dependency. CPS assists families in arranging parenting classes, day care, health, and mental health services, substance abuse services, etc. Community Based Programs are available in some cases, CPS arranges for the provisions of services such as foster care.

Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect that a child's health or safety is jeopardized due to abuse or neglect by parents or other caretaker who has custody of the child, contact Carteret County Department of Social Services - CPS.

Hours of Operation

CPS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An on-call social worker responds to emergency situations, which cannot be handled during regular office hours - nights, weekends, holidays, etc.

Call Carteret County DSS at (252) 728-3181 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. After hours, on weekends and holidays, call (252) 726-1911 and request an on-call social worker.