CHILD PLACEMENT: Places children in foster or group homes when it is clearly determined that they can no longer remain in their own homes. Placements are court-ordered or voluntary parent agreement depending on the nature of the case. Returning home is the primary focus of DSS, and services are provided toward that end.

KINSHIP NAVIGATOR: Assists relatives who agree to provide care to children in their homes. Kinship navigators assist kinship caregivers in learning about and accessing programs and resources to meet the needs of the children they are raising, provide help for the family as a whole to safeguard stability. The safety and well being of the children are paramount until they are returned to their parents or they reach permanence through adoption or custody and guardianship to the relative. The primary goal is to assist the extended family with permanency planning for the child.