Disclosing Adult Protective Services Information and Records: The Legal Framework in North Carolina

Every department of social services (DSS) in North Carolina is responsible for receiving and evaluating reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults. These reports and the evaluations that follow them often involve highly sensitive information about vulnerable adults. A DSS must synthesize many state and federal confidentiality requirements when dealing with a request for adult protective services (APS) information. This resource sets out five questions for a DSS to consider when determining whether a disclosure of such information is permitted, prohibited, or required. A flowchart of the steps involved in the disclosure decision process is also included.