North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services offers Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Elder Rights assistance. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and adult care homes (rest homes/assisted living) throughout North Carolina. Ombudsmen receive and investigate complaints made by or on behalf of long-term residents and work for their resolution. The Ombudsmen Program is an advocacy program, not a regulatory agency. Disabled adults or disabled emancipated minors in North Carolina who are reported to be abused, neglected, or exploited and in need of protective services are eligible to receive Adult Protective services without regard to income. County departments of social services receive and evaluate reports to determine whether disabled adults are in need of protective services and what services are needed (as required by Article 6, Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes).