Social Services Attorneys Winter Conference

    Attendees are limited to attorneys and paralegals representing county departments of social services. The 2026 program will be held February 19-20, 2026 (Thursday and Friday) via Zoom.

    Start times for both days is 9:00 a.m.

    Thursday will conclude after the Business meeting, which starts at 2:00 p.m.

    Friday will conclude at 2:45.

    2026 Social Services Attorneys Winter Conference Agenda

    2026 Social Services Attorneys Winter Conference topics:

    Child Welfare Case Update

    DHHS Update

    ICWA Part 2

    Paternity

    Adult Protective Services

    Ethics

    Tech

     

    A 30 minute business meeting of the Social Services Attorneys Association will also be held during the conference on Thursday.

     

    The summer conference for DSS Attorneys / County Attorneys will be held on July 23-25, 2026 at Wrightsville Beach. Please visit the course webpage here for additional information. 

     

     

    Additional information

    Attendees are limited to attorneys and paralegals representing county departments of social services. 

    An announcement will be sent to all registrants when materials are available for downloading/printing.

    For materials from past conferences, click here.

    As a webcast (Zoom) conference participant, you will view the presentations on a computer for the duration of the conference.   

    CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course is pending approved with the North Carolina State Bar for 8.5 hours of CLE credit. 

    General6.50 hrs
    Ethics1.00 hrs
    Technology1.00 hrs
    Total8.50 hrs
    There currently are no scheduled offerings of this course.

    The Materials for this course will be posted here for participants to access. Hard copies will not be provided, on-site and webcast participants may print the items they would like hard copies of.

    Materials for this course will be available here for printing/downloading.

    2026 Social Services Attorneys Winter Conference Agenda 

     

    Thursday, February 19 (4 CLE)

    DHHS Update [1.25 CLE] - No material being provided

    Gail Carelli, Assistant General Counsel for Child Welfare & County Operations, NC DHHS

     

    Paternity - PDF Slides[1.5 CLE]

    Sara DePasquale, UNC School of Government

     

    Adult Protective Services - PDF Slides [1.25 CLE]

    NC DHHS Adult Services: Statewide Goal FY25/26: Timely Mobilization of Protection for Substantiated Adult Protective Services (APS) Cases - Handout

    Legislative Changes to Ex Parte Proceedings for the Provision of Emergency Services to Disabled Adults - Blog Post

    Adult Protective Services Proceedings under G.S. Chapter 108A, Article 6 and 6A, N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, Statewide Judicial Forms - Handout

     eCourts Rules of Recordkeeping for Clerks of Superior Court, December 2025 - Handout

    Meredith Smith, UNC School of Government

     

    Friday, February 20 (4.75 CLE)

    Ethical Considerations to Legislative Changes in Chapter 7B - PDF Slides[1.0 Ethics CLE]

    Jessica M. Arnold, Deputy Counsel North Carolina State Bar

      

    ICWA, Part II  - PDF Slides[1.25 CLE]

    ICWA - Blog Post 

    ICWA QUESTIONS FOR EXPERT WITNESS oct13 - Handout

    Hon. Justin Greene, 43rd Judicial District

    Angela Lewis, Associate Counsel, E.B.C.I. Office of the Attorney General

     

    Leveraging Legal Technology in the Child Welfare World- Handout [1.0 Tech CLE]

    Jay White, Esq. (Represents Cabarrus County DSS)

     

    Case Update[1.5 CLE]

    Case Update Handout

    Juvenile Law Bulletin #2026/01

    Sara DePasquale, UNC School of Government

     

    For all registration questions, resetting passwords, or login issues please contact:

    Dale Zuckert

    Assistant Registrar
    919.966.4414
    For questions regarding course details, including location, schedule, materials, and continuing education credits, please contact:

    Charmain Cale

    Team Lead, Law and Finance Group
    919.966.4157
    Professor of Public Law and Government
    Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government