Social Services

Union County strives to support its residents regardless of age or background with the goal of helping anyone in need to achieve a safe and stable life in our community.

General services include:

• Child Welfare Services
  • Child Protective Services
  • In-Home Services
  • Foster Care Services
  • Prevention/After Care Services
  • Adoptions
• Shelter Care
• Adult Care

We also provide opportunities to donate time and resources to support these services for those who are interested in and able to help.

Whether it is a federal, state or county program, Union County assists qualifying residents with finding resources that will help to maintain financial stability and meet basic needs. Applicants may apply in person Monday – Friday from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. at the Division of Social Services.

Applicants for FNS and Medicaid may apply online at https://epass.nc.gov/

• Medicaid – A federal and state funded program designed to secure health insurance coverage for individuals and families to assist with prescriptions, medical bills, hospital charges and nursing home care. There are many types of Medicaid with varying income limits and resource limits. Your caseworker will explain these to you and the requirements to qualify.
• Food and Nutrition Assistance (FNS) – Also known as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) provides an electronic benefit card (EBT) for low income families to purchase groceries. Families must meet income, resource, citizenship and work requirements.
• Child Day Care – Financial support is available to help cover childcare costs for eligible families. This program informs parents how to choose a safe, quality child care arrangement. The program is income based and families must have a childcare need to be eligible.
• Work First – Provides financial and resource support to parents while they complete the Employment Service Program and find employment. Work First may also provide financial assistance to children who live with a caretaker relative. Click here for additional information about the Work First program.
• Crisis Intervention Program/Share the Warmth/LIEAP – Helps to cover the cost of heating and cooling in the home during a family crisis. Click here for additional information about our Emergency Assistance programs.
• Program Integrity – Detects and prevents fraud, waste and program abuse in the Medicaid Program and the Food and Nutrition Program.
• Emergency Assistance - This program is designed to assist a family or individual during a crisis to prevent a potentially larger and more costly crisis from occurring. By proactively providing support, additional issues can potentially be avoided.
• Child Support Services - The goal of Child Support Services is to help both parents provide reliable and consistent financial support for their children. We can help with genetic testing, if necessary; developing a new child support order or changing an existing child support order when life circumstances change; job referrals and support for finding employment; and complying with a child support order.
  
  Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  
  Location: Union County Child Support Services; 1643 Campus Park Drive, Suite B; Monroe, NC 28112.
  
  Phone: 704-289-4356
  
  Fax: 704-283-0534
   

Residents may access specific information about Medicaid and check their own eligibility status at https://www.nctracks.nc.gov/

Residents may find more information about Food and Nutrition Services at: http://www.fns.usda.gov

Union County accepts many types of financial and in-kind donations year-round including sports equipment, games, arts and crafts, accessories, books, outer-wear and clothing.

The County also hosts a variety of events throughout the year where residents can donate items or money to help support specific programs.

• Back to School Drive – Individuals and groups can sign up in May and June to collect school supplies that will be given to children in the following fall.
• Christmas Bureau – Help us support over 2,000 families over the holiday season by donating Christmas gifts, warm clothing, food for Christmas dinner and food for children during their time off from school. Donate individual items or sponsor a family, food drive, gift tree or stocking stuffers.
• Easter Baskets – In early spring, individuals and groups can create Easter baskets that will be distributed the week prior to Easter to children in the area.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Volunteer Coordinator Gloria Haney at 704-296-4312 or ghaney@unioncountync.gov.

Throughout the year, Union County relies on volunteers to help with social service programs including food distribution, transportation services for medical and foster care needs, filing taxes, animal-care and more. Examples include:

• Christmas Bureau – Become one of the hundreds of individuals, groups and families that come together October through December to provide assistance to local families in need during the Christmas season. Volunteer roles include administrative, volunteer coordination and sorting and distributing donations.
• VITA Program – The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides free tax assistance to families with an income less than $54,000 per year. Volunteers are required to complete an IRS tax course and successfully pass an exam to volunteer.
• Internships – There are many opportunities to intern with Union County to gain applicable work experience while helping the community thrive.

For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Gloria Haney at 704-296-4312 or ghaney@unioncountync.gov

Ashley Lantz
Social Services Director
Phone: 704-296-4380

Tracy Henry
Program Manager

Christina Neal
Program Manager

Monica Smith
Division Manager

Earl Ford
Division Manager

Katie Coffey
Program Manager

Dave Flaherty
Program Manager