Rowan is among several counties in the state identified as needing the extra adult services case worker, Sandra Wilkes, director of the Rowan County Department of Social Services, said Tuesday.

She said the state identified Rowan’s need through a consultant who visits monthly and the county department’s responses to a state questionnaire.

The questionnaire asked about the number of adult protective services case workers employed by the county, the number of complaints received, the severity of the complaints and the services provided.

“They determined that we were in critical need,” Wilkes said.

Rowan’s lone adult protective services case worker had 19 active cases at the end of December. That’s nearly double the 10 active cases the state recommends and doesn’t even approach the high of 29 active cases in August.

“People don’t understand the work that goes into these cases, or the time,” Wilkes said.

The case worker helps elderly people and the disabled, either personally or with their assets, who are unable to care for themselves and may have been abused, neglected or exploited.

Even though the current case worker is being as vigilant as she can be, Wilkes said, she’s overextended.

“We need a case worker for those that may fall through the cracks, because you’re always afraid something might happen,” she said.

The county should receive official notice from the state next week, Wilkes said. Still, she’s not counting on a new employee just yet.

“This is not a done deal,” she said. “It’s being offered to the county, but we still have to get approval.”

The cost of hiring the worker for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, would be about $23,000, Wilkes said. That cost would double for next year.

The state would expect the county to pay part of the cost next year, but Wilkes thinks the state will try to keep the county match low.

She’ll take the offer before the county commissioners in February.

Commissioner Frank Tadlock, who also chairs the Social Services board, said he’ll need more information before deciding if he will support the state’s offer.