County departments collaborate to expand DSS access with online tool

Published on May 05, 2026

Cabarrus County is making it easier for residents to access critical services thanks to a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Information Technology Services (ITS).

Together, the team has launched a self-service document submission tool for Economic and Family Services programs, giving residents the ability to securely submit applications and supporting documents anytime, from anywhere.

These programs include Adult Medicaid, Family and Children’s Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First, Subsidized Child Care, Energy Assistance and Emergency Assistance.

At the heart of Economic and Family Services’ “Meet You Where You Are” initiative is a focus on convenience and accessibility for residents, according to DSS Deputy Director Thomas Mitchell. Whether at home, at work, in the car or at a nearby Cabarrus County Library System branch, residents now have more flexible ways to connect with support.

The new tool is available at https://dssiself.cabarruscounty.us. Officials say that in the month since it launched, the tool is already improving access.

“While residents are always welcome to visit us in person, we can now handle most needs remotely by phone or through a Teams meeting,” Mitchell says. “The portal lets clients quickly send documents by taking a photo or uploading them directly from their device.”

In addition to online submissions, residents can call 704-920-1400 to request a Microsoft Teams meeting and connect directly with DSS staff.

Anyone needing to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child or adult can call the number to speak directly with a staff member.

The tool builds on a prior collaboration called DSSi, an in-house system launched in July 2025 to handle documents more efficiently.

By moving away from a vendor system, the County gained the flexibility to make updates and improvements as needs change without delays or added costs.

The shift is saving an estimated $150,000 each year while making the process smoother and faster for staff and residents.

DSSi created a more consistent, streamlined way to move applications from submission to completion, giving staff and supervisors better visibility and reducing delays.

The system now averages about 4,500 cases a month and has climbed past 6,000 during busy times.

This work is part of a bigger, more integrated way Cabarrus County serves residents.

As a Consolidated Human Services Agency (CHSA), the County brings together Social Services, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Transportation and Veterans Services, so teams can work side by side.

This approach makes services more coordinated, efficient and easier to navigate.

DSS also works closely with Cabarrus Health Alliance and other local health partners to support residents more holistically.

For more information about Cabarrus County DSS services, visit www.cabarruscounty.us.