WHO WE HELP
Brunswick County Department of Social Services
"WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Difficult Situations) helps K.I.D.S. under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services by providing resources and services not available through public funds. Social Workers identify unmet needs such as medical needs, camps, sports teams, dance classes and emergency placement needs such as car seats and hygiene supplies.
The work you do has allowed us to consistently help families in need with resources that would not be otherwise available. You are having a significant impact on children and families in our community. Thank you."
-Rich Ohmer, Social Work Program Administrator
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. supplements the work of the Department of Social Services in these area:
The Department of Social Services goal is to keep children in the home if that can safely be accomplished through interventions and family support.
Child Protective Services responds to reports about suspected child abuse, neglect or dependency to determine if the allegations are true. They conduct interviews with family, relatives, school and other appropriate parties. Their goal is to determine if the child/children can safely stay in the home of if further intervention is needed. Further intervention can include referrals to other community services, in-home services or placing the child/children in licensed foster care, or kinship placement.
Each month 140-160 calls are received reporting suspected child abuse.
Typically, around 100 families are open for this program each month.
In-Home Services assists families in making needed changes in order to safely maintain the children in their homes. The goal is to ensure child safety while connecting the family with resources and prevent children from being taken into DSS custody. Depending on the needs of the family, the children either live with their parents or temporarily with other family members while safety concerns are addressed.
Each month an average of 40-55 families are receiving In-Home Services.
With the help they receive, the majority of these families are able to keep their children at home.
Foster Care includes children in DSS custody placed in licensed foster homes and kinship / relative placements.
Licensed Foster Home provide a safe place for abused or neglected children to live temporarily while families are addressing the safety concerns identified. Families, Social Services and foster parents work together with the children’s family to return children to their families as soon as possible.
An average of 90-110 children are living in licensed foster homes each month.
Kinship Placement is preferred, as children typically do better when placed with grandparents, relatives, or close family friends.
Approximately 50-65 children in DSS custody are living with grandparents, relatives, or close family friends each month.
Guardian Ad Litem
“The incredible work WAVES 4. K.I.D.S. accomplishes helps the Guardian ad Litem program make a difference in the life of a child. We greatly appreciate your help in meeting the additional needs of children in our community which would not have been possible without your generous contributions.”
– Judith Malone, Guardian ad Litem Program Supervisor
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a trained community member appointed by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children and youth petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services. The GAL is paired with an Attorney Advocate to represent the child’s best interest in court.
A Guardian ad Litem possesses a sincere concern for the well-being of children and are committed to advocating for a child until a safe and permanent home is established and court involvement is no longer required.
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Over 70 Guardian ad Litem volunteers advocate for 130-140 kids each month
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. assists Guardian ad Litem volunteers by providing gas cards that can used by volunteers when traveling to see children assigned to them. In addition, WAVES has provided “Guardian ad Litem Logo ID brief bags” for which volunteers are so grateful.
For more information on the Guardian ad Litem Program go to