Areas of Responsibility

The Department of Social Services has oversight for the following areas:

• Child Protection
• Counseling – Individual, Family and Group
• Disaster Management
• Domestic Violence
• Family Affairs
• Health and Wellness Services and Advocacy
• Human Trafficking
• Juvenile Correctional Facilities for Boys and Girls
• National Hotline for 24 hours Crisis Intervention
  New Providence
  Tel. (242) 322-2763
  Tel. (242) 422-2763
  Freeport
  Tel. (242) 351-7763
• National Parenting Programme
• Public Financial Assistance
• Rehabilitative Services for Probationers, Parolees and Inmates
• Research and Planning
• Residential Care Facilities for Children and Older Persons
• Safe House for refugee females with minor children
• School Welfare
• Services and Advocacy for Older Persons
• Services and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities

Key Functions and Responsibilities

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Department of Social Services, under the purview of the Director of the Department of Social Services, provides food and financial services, counseling, advocacy, education, empowerment, health and wellness, shelter and housing, protection and safety services. There are thirteen (13) key areas through which services are offered:

• I. Children and Family Services Division
• II. Community Support Services Division
• III. Disability Affairs Division
• IV. Disaster Management Unit
• V. Family Islands Division
• VI. Deportees Unit
• VII. Grand Bahama Office, Department of Social Services
• VIII. Health Social Services Division at Princess Margaret Hospital
• IX. Health Social Services Division at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre
• X. Research and Planning Division
• XI. Senior Citizens Division
• XII. DOSS Component of Urban Renewal
• XIII. Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services