Statement on Davidson County Department of Social Services

Effective Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Davidson County Department of Social Services (DCDSS), as authorized under state law. This is the sixth time NCDHHS has taken over a county's department of social services.

Davidson County and DCDSS leadership are aware and have expressed support of this temporary action.

"We all have the same goal, to ensure every child in North Carolina is safe and has the resources they need to thrive," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "This critical and urgent action will allow us to work with Davidson County leadership to strengthen the county's practice, delivery and administration of child welfare services."

"Demand on child welfare resources has increased dramatically in the last decade. This has placed a great strain on our child protective services program area. The County looks forward to working collaboratively with the NC DHHS to reduce caseloads and ensure the safety of children within Davidson County," said Casey Smith, Davidson County Manager.

NCDHHS initiated a review of child welfare services in Davidson County in April 2024 after learning about the fatality of a child previously involved with DCDSS. This review revealed numerous concerns for the safety and well-being of children involved with child welfare services. DCDSS was placed on a Corrective Action Plan in July 2024.

In November 2025, NCDHHS notified DCDSS that due to a lack of progress in its delivery of child welfare services, NCDHHS was escalating the existing CAP and sent a team to DCDSS to work alongside the director.

Subsequent information gathered during NCDHHS' work with DCDSS leadership and staff have magnified the Department's concerns about the county's capacity to deliver child welfare services in accordance with law, rule and policy. NCDHHS has reached the limit of its ability to continue to make progress without divesting the director of her authority over child welfare and assuming temporary control.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74(h) authorizes NCDHHS to take temporary control of county child welfare services when needed. During this interim period, NCDHHS will work closely with county staff to manage and stabilize child welfare services as well as develop a plan to bring it into compliance with all applicable laws and appropriate practices.

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