Department of Social Services

The Cherokee County Department of Social Services provides the residents of Cherokee County with Federal and State mandated Human Services. The mission of this Department, as set forth by the County Commissioners, is "to serve the citizens of Cherokee County efficiently and effectively with compassionate and positive attitudes in order to enable these citizens to realize the need to strive for self-sufficiency which in turn fosters a more positive self-image, thus improving their quality of life."

Click on any of the programs listed below to get a brief description of each program and its eligibility requirements.

North Carolina Division of Social Services

FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SERVICES

• Child Protective Services
• Foster Care Services and Permanency Planning Services
• Adoption Services
• Day Care Services
• WorkFirst Employment Services
• Family Planning Services
• Food Stamp Program
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, previously AFDC)
• Medicaid to Families and Children
• Medicaid Transportation Services
• North Carolina Health Choice for Children
• Family Crisis and Assistance Fund
• CRISIS Program
• Carolina Access
• In-Home Aide Services Level II
• Program Integrity or Fraud Investigations

SENIOR SOCIAL SERVICES

• Adult Protective Services
• Guardianship Services
• Protective Payee Services
• In-home Aide Services
• Adult Day Care Subsidy
• Food Stamp Program
• Adult Medicaid
• Medicaid Transportation Services
• LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program)

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, this institution is prohibited
from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Under the Food Stamp Act and USDA policy, discrimination is prohibited also on the
basis of religion or political beliefs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact USDA or HHS. Write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). Write HHS, Director, Office for
Civil Rights, Room 506-F, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 or
call (202) 619-0403 (voice) or (202) 619-3257 (TTY). USDA and HHS are equal
opportunity providers and employers.”

Social Services Units
Family Social Services
Senior Social Services


PHONE
(828) 837-7455

ADDRESS
40 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC 28906

DEPARTMENT HEAD
Cindy Palmer
cindy.palmer@cherokeecounty-nc.gov
Interim Director

CLERICAL UNIT
Cindy Palmer
Administrative Assistant

INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIT
Pat Stalcup
Income Maintenance Unit Supervisor

SERVICES UNIT
Donna Crawford
Service Program Manager

DSS Board Members:

Melanie Forrister

Kandy Barnard

Helen Dickey

Dana Jones

Eugene Morrow