Family Assistance | Early Care & Education | Employment Services

The year 2022 is dedicated to celebrating milestones and implementing innovative partnership projects. Read more here and be sure to watch for many stories on ABC Quality’s 30th anniversary celebration throughout the year!

On January 14th, 2022, DSS’ ABC Quality program was highlighted in a story that aired on WBTW in Myrtle Beach. The piece focused on the easy-to-understand A-B-C system to help families who are searching for child care. Families can enter their zip codes here and find quality child care facilities in their area. ABC Quality is administeredd by DSS’ Division of Early Care and Education. You can view WBTW’s story about ABC Quality here.

ABC Quality will be celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2022. Michael Leach, DSS State Director, kicked off the celebration with this message.

here.

The SCDSS Division of Early Care and Education continues to offer financial assistance for child care for working families that have income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Information and an application for parents can be found on www.scchildcare.org under News and Announcements.

Shown in the photo, above, are Little Surf’s management team members, along with Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation representatives. From left to right are Bequethia Pressley, Claudelia Dunmore, Kevin McCray, Ashley Nelson, Geales Sands, Terri Lottchea, Pamela Wilson, and Melissa Heston-Covert.

Households, individuals, seniors, and the homeless may all 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.

Each year DSS helps find jobs for thousands of recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Research shows that children are more likely to escape a life of poverty if their parents enter the 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:

Click here to view a video about how our partnership with Homes of Hope in Greenville, SC is changing lives!

Better Together: Enhancing Practice, Transforming Lives to reflect our commitment to achieve best outcomes for the children, youth and families we serve. This means working hand-in-hand with families, supported by a statewide network of service providers, judicial and education partners, foster parents, the faith community and so many others who are dedicated to helping families thrive.

#BetterTogether

“Unfortunately, DSS recently had to intervene with my daughter and her family. They were in trouble and headed for disaster. To say the least, I was horrified at even the thought of DSS, much less having them involved with my family. I envisioned an unreasonable, stern, prim and proper elder woman who would drag my babies from my arms and cart them off to a foster home with 20 other children. That was until I met Nicole Shelton (left, top) and Chelsea Taylor (left, bottom).

“I cannot let our time with Meccah end without telling you how amazing she is. I am sure you know, but seriously, she is top-notch. Everything she says she will do - she does. She is down-to-earth and very approachable. She is responsive and timely and gracious. Most importantly, she is open to all the kids in our home. I know you do not get a say in what kids you get and who is assigned to them - but every time we get a call from Lancaster from here on out, I will hope she is our caseworker.” Pictured left, Child Welfare Services Case Manager Meccah Nelson.

Kinship Foster Parent Gives Thanks

“I just want you to know that I cannot say it enough that you are sent straight from God to help the foster children in South Carolina. I appreciate you and all you have done for my family.” Pictured left, Foster Care Case Manager Lakeva Drayton-Mines.

The journey to adulthood is a critical transition for youth in foster care. It is a time when young adults learn to take on the primary responsibility for their futures and the accompanying concerns of employment, education, healthcare, housing and home management, and maintaining significant relationships with those who will continue to support and encourage them beyond the transition to independence. The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood Program provides services and resources to ensure opportunities are available for youth to learn independent living skills necessary to become self-reliant.

The Chafee/ ETV (Educational and Training Vouchers) program proudly acknowledges young people in higher education programs. As the pandemic progresses and the challenges become greater, these young people still prevailed. They managed to not only push through school but excel, which is truly amazing! 

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted creative approaches to customer care across the DSS system. During 2021, the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) launched virtual walk-in customer kiosks in all four of the division's regional offices. The kiosks provide a user-friendly, contact-free option for walk-in customers to meet virtually with CSSD professionals and get the timely information and assistance they need. As a result of this collaborative effort between CSSD and the agency's Division of Technology Services, more than 4600 individuals were served through kiosks in 2021!

         $311,767,681 

during federal fiscal year 2021 (10/01/2020 through 9/30/2021)

The SCDSS Adult Advocacy Division, which administers Adult Protective Services (APS), is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Catawba Indian Nation (CIN) Senior Program. Funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act will be utilized by CIN to provide services and improve the lives of tribal senior citizens, their spouses or widow/widowers of tribal members. Targeted efforts will be aimed at closing current gaps in services needed in the Senior Program. An Elder Social Worker will be hired to provide prevention and intervention services and to facilitate social activities and gatherings for tribal elders and other vulnerable tribal adults.

Domestic Violence is present in every community, across all demographics. The effects of abuse suffered can be both physical and mental and can last a lifetime. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In one year, that equals more than 10 million people. To learn more about making a difference, click here.

On January 19th, seven DSS professionals will be recognized by State Director Michael Leach as agency Employees of the Month. Recognized for their hard work and leading with Competence, Courage, and Compassion for January are:

As we transition into a new year, new challenges and new opportunities, DSS is pleased to congratulate Glenise Elmore, who has accepted the role of Director of Human Resources.

A strong foundation in reading is fundamental to life-long success. On the morning of January 20th, DSS State Director Michael Leach read virtually to students at Bethel Learning Center. He read “Different” by Michael Buxton. Afterward, he talked with them about some of the things that make them different or stand out from others. Director Leach had a wonderful time with the children and with participating in the South Carolina First Steps MLK Week of Service statewide read-aloud. 

DSS is designated as South Carolina's lead agency for coordinating mass care operations during an emergency, such as an ice storm. In partnership with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, DHEC and other state agencies and volunteer relief organizations, DSS staff support the operation of shelters across the state.

On the weekend of January 15^th as severe winter weather threatened the state, DSS professionals assisted with staffing shelters in Spartanburg and Oconee Counties. The shelters were opened as part of a statewide response to a winter storm that brought ice, snow, and extreme cold to parts of the state. In Spartanburg County, shelters were opened at Chapman High School, High Point Academy, Wofford College, and Dorman High School. In Oconee County, the Shaver Recreational Complex was used as a shelter. A huge thank-you is extending to all the staff who supported these operations!

On December 18th, WIS News 10 covered the “Comforters for Kids” event at the Calhoun County DSS. That Saturday, more than 150 comforters and 200 pillows were given to children in the area. The items were donated by around a dozen different partners. The event was a big success with many families lined up before the doors opened. To see WIS’ coverage of the story, click here. For more on the event, you can watch here.

Pictured right, Calhoun County DSS staff with donated comforters, courtesy of The Times and Democrat..

SCFPA’s January Social Worker of the Month

Jessica was recently named the South Carolina Foster Parent Association's Social Worker of the Month for January. Thank you for your outstanding service to children and families, Jessica. Congratulations!

Do you have a used car or truck that you no longer need, but you do not think you can get much for it? Before you try to sell it or trade it in, why not consider donating it to help the South Carolina Foster Parent Association?

There is a desperate need for used vehicles and all cars donated to the “On the Road Again” program go to help deserving foster care youth.