Adult
Protective Services
Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who
is either living in the community or in a licensed
facility? Did you know that there is a law that was
enacted in 1975 to protect disabled adults from abuse,
neglect and exploitation? Please read on to understand
the state statute and Department of Social Services
responsibility.
Protection of the Abused, Neglected or Exploited
Disabled Adult Act is located under Statute 108A
Article 6. This statute was initiated to protect
the increasing number of disabled adults in North
Carolina who are being abused, neglected or exploited.
The statute requires that anyone having reason to
believe that a disabled person is in need of protective
service shall report such information to the director
of the department of social services.
In Buncombe County you may call (828) 250-5800 between
the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
In the event of an emergency after 5:00 weekdays
and weekends you may call 211. You may also make
the report in writing. You may remain anonymous,
but we encourage you to give us your name in the
event additional information is needed. We are prohibited
by the statute to give the reporter's name. A Social
Worker is available during the above hours to take
the information you provide.
The Social Worker will ask numerous questions of
you such as but not limited to adult's name, address,
age/date of birth, Social Security number, family/collateral
names, how is the person disabled, what are the allegations
of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
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