News and Updates from SCDSS | February 2024

SC Endeavors Launches Wage Program for

Child Care Professionals

SC Endeavors has announced the launch of SC BOO$T, a pilot program that provides wage bonuses directly to child care professionals in South Carolina. The pilot program was created in response to data indicating low wages for the early childhood workforce, which has a direct impact on turnover and providing high-quality environments for children and families.

SC BOO$T is open to individuals who work in a DSS-regulated program, have been employed within the same program for six months or more, and are in a direct care position. To be eligible, applicants must have verified employment within the SC Endeavors Registry, current Career Ladder level, and must complete the salary/wage information in the registry. Direct care staff must earn $24 per hour or less, while directors or family/group providers need to earn no more than $30 per hour.

SCDSS is using federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) supplemental funds for this one-time program as allowed under federal guidelines. Data obtained from this one-time benefit could be used in potential program development and future funding requests to the South Carolina General Assembly.

Child care professionals can apply for SC BOO$T on the SC Endeavors Registry website. For a video explaining more about the program, click here. To learn more about the program and who may be eligible for the program, click here.

Reflecting on the Commitment and Passion in Serving the Community

By Michael Leach, DSS State Director

I hope this message finds each of you in good health and high spirits as we finish turning the corner into this new year. As we navigate through the challenges and triumphs in 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we make in bettering the lives of those we serve. I also want to acknowledge and express gratitude for the invaluable contributions of all of you outside of the agency who dedicate yourselves to making a difference.

February is often associated with love and compassion, and I believe it's a perfect time for us to reaffirm our commitment and passion for helping others. No matter what your role is in our shared child and family serving community, thank you for your devotion and the positive impact you make on the lives of others. You work tirelessly to address critical needs, provide support to vulnerable populations, and navigate complex challenges with unwavering dedication.

South Carolina’s people are amazing. We as a state are a community bound by a desire to help others – At DSS, we live our mission statement: Serving South Carolina by promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, helping individuals achieve stability and strengthening families.

We at DSS cannot do this work alone. Let's continue to leverage the power of our networks and communities to inspire those around us and contribute to the greater good of South Carolina’s children and families. May we always endeavor to embody the spirit of compassion that defines who we are.

Infant Safely Surrendered in Richland County

Under Safe Haven Act

Healthcare professionals at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Richland County recently accepted an infant surrendered under Daniel's Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The SC Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act provides a safe, legal option to surrender infants up to 60 days old at designated locations outlined by law.

The African American female infant was born on January 31, 2024, and weighed 7.031 pounds at the time of birth.

The infant was safely surrendered at the hospital after birth and has been placed in a DSS licensed foster home. Under the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, Williamsburg County DSS, which reflects the mother’s county of residence, took custody of the infant.

Any person wishing to assert parental rights must do so at the Permanency Planning Hearing, scheduled for March 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the Williamsburg County Family Court, located at 147 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556.

The Department of Social Services has made a dedicated page on the agency’s website regarding the history of Daniel’s Law in South Carolina with available data going back to 2009. This is the second Daniel’s Law baby surrendered in South Carolina during the 2024 calendar year.

DSS released a new series of public service announcement videos on Daniel’s Law in August 2023. To see the ads, please click here and here.

A safe abandonment such as this is a perfect time to remind the public that the SC Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act provides a safe, legal option to surrender babies up to 60 days old. For more information about the Safe Haven Act, known as Daniel’s Law, please click here. For a listing of crisis pregnancy care organizations, please see this brochure.

KinGAP Permanency Options

SCDSS kinship guardianship, known as KinGAP, is a judicially created relationship between a child and a responsible adult that is intended to be permanent and in which the guardian assumes many of the rights and responsibilities that customarily would reside with the child’s parents. Kinship guardianship can be a permanency option for a child or youth in kinship foster care when reunification with the child’s parents or permanency through adoption is not feasible.

In 2008, Title IV-E of the Social Security Act was amended to allow states to make guardianship assistance payments to kin or fictive kin who assume kinship guardianship of eligible children whom the kin or fictive kin have cared for as kinship foster parents.

Learn more about the benefits of KinGAP and the qualifying criteria by clicking here.

BSW Scholars Signing Day

On February 5th, the agency’s second cohort of BSW scholars (9 students) were recognized during a special signing day event at State Office. The students are currently enrolled at South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina, and Winthrop University and are working on their final three semesters of study in social work and future careers with the agency. The scholars were awarded a stipend covering up to $5,000.00 to be used toward tuition and fees for each semester until graduation.

The DSS-university partnership involves collaboration with DSS Human Resources & Workforce Development, Staff Development & Training, and the Child Welfare Services Division. DSS was pleased to have on hand university social work faculty and administrators from each of the partner institutions. It was especially nice to have the students’ parents and family members in attendance as well. Emily Medere, Deputy State Director of Child Welfare Services, and Glenise Elmore, DSS Human Resources Director, delivered congratulatory and inspiring remarks. The DSS-BSW Scholars program is a prestigious, competitive, and rigorous program. For more information, click here.

Households, individuals, seniors, and the homeless may be eligible for SNAP benefits. People who are working and need help to stretch their income to purchase food may also be eligible for SNAP benefits as well as those receiving Social Security benefits, child support, or unemployment.

The SC Department of Social Services alerts the public about a phishing campaign involving texts claiming EBT benefit cards are locked.

Click HERE to Learn More

SC Senior Farmer's Market

In-Person Training

Thursday, February 22 | 10am - 12pm

Beaufort County Extension

18 John Galt Road, Beaufort SC

ATTENTION, SOUTH CAROLINA EMPLOYERS!

DSS Can Help You Build a Quality Workforce

The SCDSS Division of Employment Services works to support business owners who hire SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program participants entering the workforce. When you hire our customers, you become eligible for a variety of benefits, incentives and supports designed to meet your specific needs. Hiring through DSS Employment Services programs provides businesses and new employees a promising future. We assist with:

• Tax credit opportunities for employers
• Workforce Consultants statewide
• Vocational assessments
• Pre-screened job referrals
• Background screening
• Ongoing assistance

Click here to see how our community partners are changing lives!

Child Support

Family Resource Center Opening

On Thursday, February 1st, Michael Leach, DSS State Director, joined the partners at the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, Family Solutions of Orangeburg, and members of the community for the grand opening of their new Family Resource Center. The center will serve as a flexible, community and family-focused hub for services and resources.

“Family Solutions of Orangeburg has a long history of innovative work to support children and families in the communities it serves,” said Director Leach. “For over 25 years, Family Solutions has provided support and education to the citizens of Orangeburg to improve infant and maternal outcomes and the overall health and wellness of women, men, children, and families and DSS has been pleased to partner with them in this endeavor.”

You can learn more about the center here.

DSS Professional graduates from Professional Leadership Development Program

On December 8, 2023, Austin Cummings, CWS State Intake Manager, graduated from the AdoptUsKids Minority Professional Leadership Development program. The ceremony was held in Washington, DC, over three days. This was the culmination of a yearlong fellowship that promotes professional leadership development of emerging minority leaders working in child welfare.

A key part of the program is the completion of an action research project that addresses an issue in child welfare and is related to adoption. Austin’s research project comprised of him conducting a deeper dive into the impact of name changes on youth going through the adoption process. This Action Research Project (ARP) included feedback from staff and adults who experienced the child welfare system.

When child welfare staff were asked if they ever received training on how to facilitate conversations on name changes, almost all staff respondents (95%, n=20) said no. This was similar to the interviewee who indicated that no one had communicated with him or her about their change of name. After comparing these two sources, Austin found that name changes can have a significant negative impact on a child, his or her identity formation, and the ability to maintain biological and cultural connections. 

We are proud of this leadership milestone that Austin has achieved. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

January DSS Employees of the Month Recognized

On Friday, January 19th, 14 DSS professionals were recognized by DSS State Director Michael Leach as agency Employees of the Month for December 2023 and January 2024.

Staff selected for the Employee of the Month Program enjoy lunch with the State Director along with other attendees, a dedicated parking space to use for the month, a photo and write-up displayed at State Office, and a write-up sent to their community newspaper. Congratulations to all!

Ingrid Cherry Joins the DSS Family

Ingrid Cherry joins the Department of Social Services’ Human Resource Management team after working with McLeod Health for 7 years. During her tenure with McLeod, she worked in Human Resources as a healthcare recruiter and workforce development coordinator. She has a total of 15 years of experience working in recruiting/talent acquisition and workforce development in the Staffing, Workforce Services, and Higher Education industries.

As a native of Charleston, SC, Ingrid attended Charleston County public schools. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Francis Marion University (’11) and her Master’s Degree in Leadership and Human Resource Development with a Concentration in Workforce Development from Louisiana State University (’23). She also holds her SHRM-CP certification as well as her Certified Workforce Development Professional credential.



Ingrid is passionate about meeting people where they are and helping individuals identify their strengths to reach their next level. In her role as recruiting manager, she is most excited about contributing to the meaningful and impactful work that the agency does to serve the state of South Carolina. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with her family. Welcome!

Laurens County Teamwork

The Laurens County Child Welfare team demonstrated outstanding teamwork and modeled the GPS practice model in their placement of 11 biological siblings from one home on Friday, February 2, 2024. Children between the ages of 2 and 13 were brought into care due to law enforcement immediately condemning the home in which they lived with their mother, who was arrested for these living conditions; moreover, the home had no electricity or water.

Upon the children coming to the office at approximately 3:30 pm, the Laurens County team organized decorative bags and backpacks for each child which included such items as gloves, pampers, several items of clothing, shoes, undergarments, and coats from the foster care closet for each child. Working in unison, within four hours the team fed the children, assisted in cleaning them, dressed them appropriately, and lastly placed them with relatives, with only three children being placed in foster care.

DSS exemplified the GPS model in providing the spirit of excellence in the DSS values and giving the utmost respect and attention to each child. The team sought a family-centered approach in placing them with their relatives as quickly as possible to minimize the trauma. The Laurens County team members who modeled the GPS Model were Chakieria Allen, Jamel Williams, Chelsea Ziegenfuss, Alex Wright, Nicole Summey, Naiyara Vann, Deacia Shipman, Ashley Briggs, Thomas Downs III, Kali Gordon, Porchia Boyd, Rachel Holscher, and Amanda Brewington.



We are very overjoyed and yet not surprised by their ability to react so quickly and provide outstanding services. 

First Annual Coach Mentor Gathering

On Friday, January 19th, the first-ever national event for certified coach mentors took place. Eight states plus Project Excite participated in the event.

Coach Mentors are internal champions who support the implementation and sustainability of the Coach Approach culture change through their modeling, expertise, and commitment.

Coach mentors have two prominent roles. The first is to build the capacity of leaders to use The Coach Approach in their interactions with their teams. The second is to model, promote, and advocate The Coach Approach within their organizations.

During the event, coach mentors had an opportunity to network with their peers on the national level, hear how other states are using coach mentors, and talk about the challenges and successes of implementing the coach mentor role.

South Carolina has a very prominent role in this event as we are the trailblazers for utilizing coach mentors in the field. Two of DSS very own, Tumeka Watson, Chesterfield County Director, and Donna Jones, Florence County Investigations Team Leader, spoke during the event. Tumeka discussed how coaching helped Chesterfield attain no turnover for the year 2023 in Child Welfare. Donna talked about how important coaching was to her development as a team leader and how she now has a much more united team.

Both Tumeka and Donna are certified coach mentors. We have around 20 total with another 20 or so working on their certification.

DSS Podcasts for the Public

DSS makes podcasts available on the DSS website for professionals seeking to enhance knowledge and skills. The i3-Imagine.Ideate.Innovate Podcast, hosted by the Staff Development and Training Division, highlights innovative ways to improve policy, practice, and the culture within the social services profession. The Driving Sustainable Success in Child Welfare Podcast, hosted by the Child Welfare Division, prompts great discussion and explores strategies for serving children and strengthening families. Be sure to check them out!