The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will temporarily take over child welfare services in Bertie County starting today, due to concerns about the county’s ability to provide these services effectively.
NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai stated that the state’s goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of all children and to work with the county to strengthen its services, as reported in North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Press Releases. Bertie County officials, including County Commissioners Chair Corey Ballance Sr., have expressed support for the intervention.
The takeover follows a review initiated in December 2024 after the death of a child previously involved with the Bertie County Department of Social Services (BCDSS). State staff will work on-site with county personnel to manage services and develop a plan for future compliance.
This is the fifth state intervention in a county Department of Social Services and the second for Bertie County, carried out under the authority of N.C.G.S. § 108A-74.
