The Department of Social Services provides public assistance and social services that enable individuals and families to become self-sufficient. It offers adult protection services to vulnerable adults who are alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited. The department provides a variety of counseling services to adults and families. Its foster care services provide a temporary home for children up to the age of 18, who for a variety of reasons no longer live with their family and are in need of temporary placement. The department offers a range of day care services that allow eligible families to receive child care assistance and enable them to pursue educational, employment and supportive services. It also issues work permits to protect children between the ages 14 and 17 by ensuring employer compliance with child labor laws. Additionally, it provides in-home aid, child protection, adoption, guardianship, independent living, employment counseling and assistance, short-term training, medical assistance, transportation and crisis intervention services. The Department of Social Services is located in Burgaw, N.C.