News and Updates from SCDSS | January 2024

Starting the New Year Off Right

By Michael Leach, DSS State Director

Welcome to 2024! Our journey through the past years have been nothing short of remarkable, filled with challenges, growth, and extraordinary achievements.

2023 tested our resilience, and adaptability, and through it all, we have emerged stronger. The post pandemic era has brought a surge in demand for social services while simultaneously introducing new hurdles and complexities. The prolonged stress, increased workload, and emotional toll of witnessing others' hardships can all contribute to feelings of exhaustion. As we set our sights on 2024, I'm energized by the opportunities ahead and the limitless potential within our team and how we can embrace the mission of Serving South Carolina by promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, helping individuals achieve stability and strengthening families. We are working to address the gaps that are leading to our challenges.

Our success hinges not only on our individual contributions, our teams and divisions, but on our collective collaboration, including with external partners and providers. Each one of us brings unique perspectives, skills, and insights to the table, and it's this diversity that fuels our innovation and moves us forward. Below are just a few highlights of 2023 achievements.

•                    Lowest amount of foster children (3,450) since 2013

•                    2023 was the highest amount of public adoptions (634) completed since 2011

•                    More appropriate placements and Medicaid access for the adults we serve

•                    Expanded service array with more coming in 2024

•                    Increased participation in Healthy Bucks and Seniors Farmers Market

Let's continue to foster a culture that encourages collaboration and celebrates diversity of thought. Let's embrace challenges as opportunities, knowing that within them lie accomplishments.

I urge each of you to embark on this new year with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Let's be proactive in seeking out opportunities for growth, both for ourselves and our state. Let's dream bigger, set audacious goals, and work relentlessly to turn them into reality.

Together, let's make 2024 a year of collective success. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication. Let's inspire each other, let’s push each other, lead with passion, and make 2024 a year that we enjoy.  



Infant Safely Surrendered in Dorchester County

Under Safe Haven Act

Healthcare professionals at Summerville Medical Center in Dorchester County recently accepted an infant surrendered under Daniel's Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, on Wednesday, January 3, 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 male infant was born on January 2, 2024, and weighed six pounds, 15 ounces at the time of birth and measured 19 inches long.

The infant was safely surrendered at the hospital after birth and was medically evaluated. Under the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, Dorchester County DSS took custody of the infant, and the infant has been placed in a licensed foster home.

Any person wishing to assert parental rights must do so at the Permanency Planning Hearing, scheduled for February 29, 2024, at 1:30 pm at the Dorchester County Family Court Center, 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483.

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 first 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.

Outpouring of Community Support

Richland County DSS would like to thank each person and organization who helped support children and youth in foster care this Christmas season. There was an outpouring of support received from the community! Close to 50 individuals, families, and organizations sponsored individual children by way of our online Angel Tree system and had several others assist with toy/clothes drives. The biggest supporters were the Midlands Foundation for Foster Children and the Richland County Foster Parent Association who each provided over $6,000 in funds to make Christmas special for children and youth in foster care this year!

Thank you so much to all who helped support and to the Richland County foster care team who tirelessly helped Santa deliver all the toys and goodies!

Child Care Heroes Recognized at Basketball Games

ABC Quality is partnering with the University of South Carolina (USC) Gamecocks to honor child care providers as Child Care Heroes at USC.

On January 6, Yvonne Boozer was recognized as the “Child Care Hero of the Game” at the Gamecocks men’s basketball game. Yvonne is the director of GLEAMNS Lexington Head Start Center in Lexington, which is an A+ rated ABC Quality program.

Ashley Scott, director of Kids' Stuff Learning Center in West Columbia, was recognized at the Gamecocks women’s basketball game on January 7. Kids’ Stuff Learning Center is an A-rated ABC Quality program.

Pictured top (left to right): Yolanda Boozer, GLEAMNS Lexington Head Start Center director, and Sherrie Dueno, ABC Quality project manager.

Pictured bottom (left to right): Sherrie Dueno, ABC Quality project manager, and Ashley Scott, Kids’ Stuff Learning Center director.

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.

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

Child Support Services Marks 2023 Successes

The Child Support Services division had another successful year in 2023. For FFY2023, the program collected over $300 million. The Customer Service Portal and Online Application Portal also had a significant number of visitors and applications received. See the graphic to the left for more details. For more on options available, please visit here.

SCDSS Announces New Anderson County Director

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) would like to announce Bailey Johnson as the new Anderson County DSS Director as of January 17, 2024.

Ms. Johnson began her career with DSS eleven years ago starting in Adult Protective Services in Anderson County as a case manager. She later transferred to Economic Services in 2015, then was promoted to supervisor over the SNAP/TANF eligibility unit in 2016. In 2021, she was promoted to Abbeville County Director and continues serving in the interim in that role until a replacement is hired.

“I am excited to return to Anderson County, where I began my DSS career, and use the skills and knowledge that Abbeville County has taught me on a larger scale”, said Johnson. “I am glad to be home in Anderson County and hope to make our presence known for doing great things in and for the community with the help of our DSS professionals, partners and providers.”

Ms. Johnson is originally from Anderson, S.C., and graduated from TL Hanna High School. She studied at Lander University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in counseling. She recently obtained her master’s degree in Public Administration from Walden University in August of 2023.



For more information on DSS services available for Anderson County residents and the state, please visit the SCDSS website here.

Sean Fay Recognized for Years of Service

On December 7, 2023, Sean Fay, DSS Inspector General, was presented with a plaque and certificate recognizing his four years of service as the regional vice president for the Midlands region with the South Carolina InfraGard Members Alliance (SC InfraGard).

Shown above presenting the plaque and certificate to IG Fay are Special Agent-in-Charge Steven Jensen, the head of FBI Columbia, and David Douglas, SC InfraGard president.

InfraGard is a unique partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and individuals in the public and private sectors for the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure and the American people. The mission of the InfraGard program is to enhance the nation’s collective ability to address and mitigate threats to United States critical infrastructure by fostering collaboration, education, and information-sharing through a robust private sector/government partnership.”



Saluda County Sponsors Children's Wish List

Saluda County had a full Christmas season! Every child with an open case received an abundance of gifts with sponsors giving to each child’s wish list. We are blessed to have such a supporting and giving community!

The staff began December trimming the tree and each day that followed had a theme or event - from Christmas socks to cookies, ornament hunt to coloring contest, gift exchanges to socking stuffing, secret Santa.

Pickens County Donation

The Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem provided 40 Christmas dinner boxes to DSS Family Preservation families. Each dinner box contained following ingredients to serve 6-9 people:

Frozen turkey (10-12 lbs.), a bag of stuffing mix, 1 can chicken broth for stuffing, a jar of gravy, 1 can of jellied cranberry sauce, 2 cans of yams, 2 cans of green beans, 1 dozen dinner rolls, raw potatoes, and no bake Oreo pie mix.

We would like to thank the Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem board of directors on behalf of our children and families. 

DSS was proud to take part in the recent “Meet the Need” SC adoption training sponsored by Flourishing Families of South Carolina. Attendees, speakers, vendors, and volunteers all worked together to make the event a big success!



The training offered practical tools and resources for hope and healing to families affected by childhood trauma. Participants were able to introduce and expand on Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. A photo gallery can be viewed here.

Observing Human Trafficking Awareness Day

DSS professionals recognized National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Thursday, January 11 by wearing blue. The day is recognized each year and brings attention to a crime that impacts individuals, families, and communities around the world.

The picture on the upper left was sent to us by Paris Ellerbe, Child Welfare Case Manager, Marlboro County. The picture on the upper right is from Jesse Kaylor, Union County Director. The pictures below were sent by Adrienne Wingate, Darlington County Director.

A Truckload of Toys. Yes, A Truckload of Toys!

A truckload of toys was delivered to Charleston County DSS by Trucker Coalition 18, the SC Ports Authority, and ILA Local 1422. The donation brought smiles and joy to many children and youth that we serve. Also, many gifts and toys were provided by several other community partners who have shown heartfelt love this holiday season. We appreciate such thoughtfulness of our partners listed below:

Trucker Coalition 18, ILA Local 1422, the State Ports Authority, Charleston VA Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP), Dog Tired Pet Services, Royal Missionary Baptist Church, West Ashley Navy Federal Bank, Palmetto Presbyterian Church, Seacoast Church, Zan Dickerson, The Summerville Elks Lodge, Teen and Tween, St. Luke AME, Andrea Schroder (neighborhood association), Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, ZF Group CV System North American, LLC, Charleston County Solicitor’s Office, Bridge 105.5 Radio Station, and the 7th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Celebrating a Major Milestone

Thanks for your support of our DSS podcasts, produced by the Staff Development and Training Audio Production Team! The I3 – Imagine.Ideate.Innovate Podcast is celebrating 1,000 downloads!

The i3 podcast is a space where we, as social service professionals, can Imagine, Ideate, and discuss Innovative ways to improve policy, practice, and the culture within our profession. If you have a passion for or feel called to serve others, then the i3 podcast is a place for you to learn, grow, and explore creative possibilities that could help improve the way in which you help others. With that said, we invite you to be ‘present’ during our time together and allow your creative energy to flow as we discuss various topics in the field of social services.

We also produce The Driving Sustainable Success in Child Welfare Podcast: The Driving Sustainable Success in Child Welfare podcast is hosted by the Child Welfare Division of the South Carolina Department of Social Services. This is an intentional space for us to talk together, discover together, and grow together. If you have a passion for serving children and strengthening families, then you have come to the right place. Please follow, subscribe, like, and share our podcasts.