What Is Wake County Human Services?

In February 1996, the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved a plan to establish Wake County Human Services (WCHS) by merging several departments into one. Implementing this change required special legislation by the N.C. General Assembly.

WCHS combines social services, public health, mental health, job training, child support and housing into one department in Wake County. To ensure citizen involvement, the department's board is composed of consumers, citizens, physicians, professionals and a county representative. The board consists of 26 members and also advises the Department of Environmental Services for Wake County.

Wake County Human Services consists of more than 1,700 part-time and full-time employees, or 52 percent of Wake County Government's staff. Through its variety of programs, WCHS serves clients at 27 locations and provides support for consumers through 82 agency services.

In fiscal year 2005-05, Human Services budget totaled $217 million, with funding from federal, state, county and grant sources. More than $40 million is dedicated to providing contracted services through more than 300 community providers. Approximately $60 million comes from county funds, often meeting federal and state matching fund requirements. Of the $60 million in local funds, only $15 million are discretionary funds.

The WCHS Customer Service Center, at 212-7000, receives an average of 48,660 calls per month, or approximately 584,000 calls per year. We maintain a 97 percent answer rate through our center and offer information to callers in both English and Spanish.