Have a Suggestion?

General Types of Oversight and What Agency Provides It
for Adult Care Homes

The following agencies/organizations/programs have some degree of oversight of Adult Care Homes, with direct or indirect regulatory authority.

Division of Health Service Regulation

Division of Aging and Adult Services

County Departments of Social Services

Division of Mental Health/Developmental       Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services

Area Mental Health Programs

Local Building Inspectors and Fire Departments

Local Health Departments

Home Health Agencies and Hospice

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Schedule for Agencies to Enter a Facility

Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR)
Develops and implements policies, administrative rules, and procedures governing the licensing and enforcement of compliance for adult care homes, and conducts facility surveys (monitoring) when indicated. DHSR also acts as a consultant to the local Departments of Social Services and provides technical assistance, training, and oversight of the local DSS Adult Home Specialists. (More information)

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
Administers the Special Assistance for Disabled Adults program, Adult Protective Services, civil rights programs, and case management services. (More information)

Also oversees the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program which involves the following:

N.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
Advocate on behalf of adult care home residents and provide a variety of services and assistance to residents, families, and providers. Complaint resolution is one of the services provided. They are particularly well informed about Residents' Rights issues.
(More information)

 

Locate an Ombudsman in Your Area

Community Advisory Committees
Observe and report to the ombudsmen the general conditions of homes observed during as needed facility visits and may assist residents in resolving grievances. (More information)

County Departments of Social Services
Monitor adult care homes for compliance with rules, investigate complaints, and provide case management services to eligible residents. Each county Department also houses an Adult Protective Services Unit that responds to complaints of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older or disabled adults in adult care homes. (More information)

Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS)
Administers case management and treatment services for Thomas S., CAP-MR/DD, and other residents requiring treatment and habilitation services. (More information)

Area Mental Health Programs
Provide services to clients - as requested - by families, physicians, or facilities.

Local Building Inspectors and Fire Departments
Conduct safety inspections annually.

Local Health Departments
Conduct sanitation inspections annually, and more often to follow up corrective action.

Home Health Agencies and Hospice
Provide service to individual residents upon physician orders and provider/family arrangement and often report observations to regulatory agencies.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
Inspects for compliance with its regulations which include those governing infection control. In long-term care facilities, the emphasis is on employee safety and hazards. Typical issues would be surfaces where an employee could trip, slip, or fall; ergonomics; bloodborne pathogens; tuberculosis; etc. They provide education and training on safety and hazard issues to facility staff to help ensure the safety of all. Inspections are random.