2400 N. Croatan Hwy, Suite D PO Box 2539 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Phone 252-441-0614 Fax 252-441-3580

Family Abuse, Neglect

Protective Services for Children Dare County Department of Social Services
www.dcdss.org

Manteo: 252-475-5500
107 Exeter Street
P.O. Box 669, Manteo, NC 27954
 Buxton: 252-995-4404

Protective Services for Children identifies and investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency. It provides for the correction of the condition by giving immediate protection as necessary, counseling to parents, and arrangements for necessary services.

Eligibility: Serves children under age 18. There are no income requirements.

Fees: None

You Can Prevent Child Abuse, Ideas for Action
Reprinted With Permission of Prevent Child Abuse, North Carolina *


  • HELP parents you know. Offer to watch the kids for an afternoon so the parents can take a break. Be there to listen without judging. Model positive parenting behaviors, and reinforce positive parenting with compliments.

  • HELP yourself. Parenting is challenging for everyone, and we all need information and support to do our best. Ask for help when you need it. Call the Children & Youth Partnership at 441-0614 for free parenting information and a referral to a resource near you.

  • ACT when you see someone hurt a child in public. Glaring at the offending adult or making disapproving remarks usually makes the situation worse. Instead, show that you empathize with the parent. Say something like: "Shopping with kids is hard." Try to compliment the parent or child to diffuse the situation: "Your little boy has beautiful eyes."

  • SHOW SUPPORT Wear a blue ribbon to show that you support prevention.

  • REPORT suspected abuse and neglect. NC law requires every citizen who suspects abuse to report it to the Department of Social Services. Abuse rarely stops without intervention from outside the immediate family.

Guardian ad Litem
www.nccourts.org/Citizens/GAL/

Elizabeth City :252-331-4755
1305-D McPherson St.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
 Dare County Satellite Office: 252-475-5587

Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the best interests of a child who is involved in a court proceeding, as a result of having been abused or neglected. The Guardian ad Litem is paired with an attorney advocate. They work together to ensure that the child's rights and best interests are presented to the court.

Eligibility: Serves Dare, Pasquotank and other counties in the First Judicial District

Fees: None

Kids First, Inc. Child Advocacy Center

252-338-5658
P.O. Box 23
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Kids First is a nationally-certified child advocacy center that provides advocacy and support to child victims of sexual and physical abuse, as well as counseling for children and their non-offending families.

Eligibility: Provides services to child victims of sexual or physical abuse and their non-offending families.

Fees: None

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, call Protective Services for Children at 475-5500.

Why should you report?

Because a child or his family will not get help if you don’t
Because a child might be injured or neglected, or may even die
Because we all should feel responsible for the welfare of a child
Because it is the law

Outer Banks Hotline Crisis Intervention Center Outer Banks Hotline

252-473-3366 (24hour)
252-473-5121 (office)
P.O. Box 1417, Manteo, NC 27954

Hotline is a private, non-profit human services organization that offers a comprehensive domestic violence program that includes shelter, advocacy, support and referral for victims and their children. Hotline also provides emergency response to sexual assault survivors. Victim compensation assistance, prevention education and referral to therapy are also offered.

Eligibility: Serves all in need.

Fees: None

12 ALTERNATIVES TO LASHING OUT AT YOUR KIDS

The next time everyday pressures build up and you feel like lashing out – STOP! Try one of these simple alternatives. You’ll feel better and so will your child.


  1. Take a deep breath. Then another. Remember that you are the adult and you choose how you want to react.

  2. Close your eyes and imagine you’re hearing what your child is about to hear.

  3. Press your lips together and count to 10. Or better yet, to 20.

  4. Put your child in time-out. Give one time-out minute for each year of age.

  5. Think about why you’re angry. Are you truly angry at your child, or is your child the target for your anger at someone else?

  6. Phone a friend and ask for help.

  7. If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk. Spend a few minutes alone.

  8. Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.

  9. Hug a pillow.

  10. Turn on some music. Sing and dance along.

  11. Pick up a pencil and write down negative feelings. Then throw away the paper.

  12. Call 1-800-CHILDREN


Reprinted With Permission of Prevent Child Abuse, North Carolina *