More information on background checks can be found here. Order birth, marriage, and death certificates. DSS Emergency Hotlines and Toll Free Numbers. Lexington County DSS P.O. Email: greenvillechildcare@dss.sc.gov, April McDaniel Prior to being named deputy commissioner, Leach served as the executive director of DCS Office of Continuous Quality Improvement, leading the Risk Management and Internal Audit divisions of the agency. degree in Psychology from Lander University in 2005 and her M.A. Columbia, SC 29204 Eastover Branch Office: Richland County DSS 120 Clarkson St. Eastover, SC 29044 January's Governor's Advisory Committee Meeting on the Regulations of Child Care Facilities January 30, 2023, at 10:00am - 4:00pm DSS State Office / Room 307-310 1535 Confederate Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201 Read More View All News Our Mission var dteNow = new Date(); South Carolina Department of Social Services 1535 Confederate Avenue Columbia, SC 29201-1915 Mailing Address South Carolina Department of Social Services P.O. Find an Open Child Care Facility Near You, 1081 - Non-Criminal Justice Applicant Privacy Rights Notification, 1706 - Criminal Background Check Questionnaire, 2900 - General Record and Statement of Childs Health for Admission to Child Care Facility, 2902 - Application to Operate a Child Care Facility, 2908 - Reference Release Statement - Registered FCCH's Only, 2922 - Original or Renewal Registration of Family Child Care Home Registered FCCHs Only, 2924 - Consent to Release Information and Compliance Statement, 2925 - Director/Staff Evidence of Non-Conviction and Statement of Compliance, 2930 - Authorization for Intervention, Therapy and Extracurricular Activities, 2944 - Original or Continuing Registration Study for a Facility Operated by a Religious Body or Group, 2945 - Current Child Care Facility List of Children Faith-Based Facilities, 2963 - Current Child Care Facility List of Children Centers, 2964 - Current Child Care Facility Staff/Caregiver Checklist, State Applicant Fingerprint Electronic Processing Services (SAFE) Form, SC Escrow Account Application for State Applicant Fingerprint Electronic Processing Services (SAFE), Children's Code of Law - Article 7: Domestic Relations, Crosswalk of 2015 CCC Regulations and 2018 CCC Regulations, Family Child Care Home Suggested Standards, Family, Friend, and Neighbor Program Policy Manual, Public Playground Safety Handbook (Consumer Product Safety Commission), Licensed Family Child Care Home Requirements, Registered Faith-Based Child Care Requirements, Care for children in your home and you care for more than 1 family not related to you. (1) (b) (ii) A bachelor's degree from an . Administers several programs to assist the citizens of South Carolina. The agency's latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call center for child abuse reports. The Division of State Human Resources (DSHR) works with agency customers to ensure excellence in human resources through providing guidance on HR-related matters, delivers resources that encourage effective workforce planning and organizational development, and oversees the states Alternative Dispute Resolution process. More information on background checks can be found here. Step 5. Use full names (no initials) on these forms. Requirements are determined by provider type. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Leach served with the Department of Children's Services for more than 10 years, most recently as the Deputy Commissioner of Child Programs. Step 4. SCDSS Announces New Anderson County Director SC DSS Honors January Employees of the Month Infant in Richland County Surrendered Safely Under Safe Haven Act Events View All Events Feb 27 Newberry Spring Job Fair 10am - 1pm Newberry, SC Feb 28 Ollie's Hiring Event 9am - 4pm Sumter, SC Mar 1 Ollie's Hiring Event 9am - 4pm Sumter, SC Hours required: At least 15 clock hours of training annually for any staff person providing direct care to children. Staff selected for the Employee of the Month Program are awarded with lunch with the State Director, along with other honorees; a dedicated parking space; a photo and . The Republican governor has dismissed such calls as election-year politics, as those making them included her Democratic challenger, Sen. Vincent Sheheen, and former primary opponent Tom Ervin, who said he entered the gubernatorial race because he was angry about DSS. We regulate approximately 2,500 child care providers, through four regional offices. Email: columbiachildcare@dss.sc.gov, Carol Jefferson SC Endeavors promotes professional development and supports education for the people who care for and educate our states children. Regional Supervisor Toll-Free: (800) 637-8550 Regional Assistant Supervisor "He's exactly the right man, in the right place, at the right time," said Gov. Alford inherited the Michelle H lawsuit, helping to negotiate a settlement in October 2016. Pamela Evette, and Children's Bureau Associate Commissioner Jerry Milner gathered at the 2019 Building Hope for Children Conference in Greenville to speak before 400 child-serving professionals. 3346 Rivers Ave, Suite D-1 The State Foster Care Manager is the administrator who has oversight responsibility for all foster care services provided to children in the custody of the State. You have permission to edit this article. For more information about licensing, regulations and requirements for these facilities, please contact your local county DSS office, visit the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Division on the web, or call (803) 898-7601. In September, DSS announced that a coalition of groups, including the U.S. Children's Bureau and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, picked South Carolina among only four jurisdictions in the country to participate in a national program called "Thriving Families, Safer Children.". jhawes@postandcourier.com, SC House passes bail reform to stop what it calls 'revolving door' for criminals, Alex Murdaugh's prosecutor warns jury in final argument: 'Don't let him fool you, too', New penny tax proposed to fix Spartanburg County roads, bridges, Georgetown County natural resources plan deferred for County Council feedback, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC, Live: Jurors in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial travel to Moselle, site of the slayings, 'Everybody is scared': Coronavirus pandemic leaves SC children stuck in DSS system, Child abuse investigators in South Carolina carry caseloads more than 125 percent over capacity, Records allege children are punished in 'tight, dark' rooms at Charleston-area group home, 1 in 4 aged-out foster kids in S.C. become homeless or teen moms, despite taxpayers' millions, Report: Number of SC children in state custody increased by 1,500 since 2012, Letters to the Editor: Find hope, joy in arts during pandemic, Letters to the Editor: Work together to find policing solutions. Inspections: These help to ensure that providers comply with state laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection. Hi! Columbia, SC 29201 Greenville, SC 29606 Licensing sets standards to promote the health and safety of children receiving care. When the South Carolina Department of Education needed help finding thousands of children who'd gone dark during the COVID pandemic, McMaster said Leach stepped up and volunteered to find them. Michael Leach has an outstanding track record of reform and quality improvement throughout his career., We look forward to the Senate confirming Mr. Leach, and we look forward to working with him, because the Department of Social Services touches every family in South Carolina in one way or another, said Representative Gary Clary. Local DSS Directory Text Version | Export Map Data Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. For all center-based care, licensed, registered, and legally exempt, Licensed and registered home child care facilities, Family, Friend, and Neighbor checks for providers enrolled in the SC Voucher Program, In-state and National Sex Offender Database checks for all child care facility types, to include legally exempt child care facilities, State and Federal fingerprinting for all child care facility types, to include legally exempt child care facilities. Leach and his chief of staff estimated when they arrived that DSS lagged behind other states when it came to best practices by 10 or 15 years. Join us on Thursday, March 2 at the Sotille Theatre for a community-centered discussion regarding the Union Pier development. 1535 Confederate Ave. Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of Programs. Report State Agency Fraud (Office of the Inspector General). Sandra Wilson, the deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services' Office of Child Programs, said she's known Leach for 15 years. Background checks include: The State of South Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service. At home, he finds time to ride bikes with Aiden. In a 2017 report, the Michelle H monitors determined that DSS needed to hire another 670 caseworkers to meet the terms of the class-action settlement and wrote that "DSS has not mustered the resources and the internal capacity needed to intensively drive reform.". Leach's days are long and his task list is never-ending. You are now exiting the Dorchester County, SC website. Hours required: At least 15 clock hours annually for any staff person providing direct care to children. Hours required: At least 15 clock hours of training each year. DSS directors, at least in South Carolina, don't tend to stay around for very long. 5 hours must be in child growth and development. Leach was raised in Reno, Nev., by his mother, who is a nurse practitioner, and his stepfather, an African American man from North Carolina who now works as a private investigator. Jun 1, 2014. 1628 Browning Rd M-2, Suite 200-4 From his mother, Leach said he learned about toughness, about how to keep doing important work even when it's hard. The best social workers understand this paradox,that thebranch of government set up to make sure children and vulnerable adults are kept safe can end up causing just as much damage, if not more, than anything or anyone else. Read moreNew penny tax proposed to fix Spartanburg County roads, bridges, A final vote on the natural resources element of Georgetown County's comprehensive plan was deferred for the county council's Feb. 28 meeting. 6. Provides notice to unmarried biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have fathered by registering with the Responsible Father Registry. "He has the support of a lot of people, which is something that not all directors have had. Lauren Petracca/Staff. Consent to Release Information and Compliance Statement (DSS Form 2924) for the operator, all caregivers, and all Household Members over the age of 18. The workloads that DSS employees were carrying were simply too high. ", His colleagues in South Carolina repeated the same thing about him over and over. State-run home had 1 of SC's worst COVID outbreaks. Lauren Petracca/Staff, Department of Social Services Director Michael Leach hands a DSS pin to Lowcountry Regional Director Enid Jenkins following a meeting in North Charleston on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. She earned her B.S. In addition, you will be able to ask any questions related to the process and you are provided resources for your area to help as you go through the process. We look forward to a long and successful tenure here in South Carolina. He was 101. And there are weeknight Cub Scout meetings and baseball practice. SC Child Care 4. Congratulations, Michael.. Lauren Petracca/Staff, Emily Parks, chief of staff for the Department of Social Services, talks to employees during a meeting in North Charleston on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. >>> http://bit.ly/2WueUQN, SC governor announces pick for SC DSS director, Day 28: Murdaugh defense to present its closing arguments Thursday, VIDEO: Rethink Folly Road makes headway in phase one, WATCH: SC governor to make cabinet announcement at the State House, publicfile@live5news.com - (843) 402-5555. An educational program that operates solely for educational purposes in grade one or above. Comply with State laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection grade one or above directors! We regulate approximately 2,500 child care providers, through four regional offices, helping to a. Very long centralized 24/7 call center for child abuse reports to negotiate a settlement October. The support of a lot of people, which is something that not all directors have had hours training... Care providers, through four regional offices Staff and Deputy Director of programs been setting up a 24/7... S degree from an Dorchester County, SC website a bachelor & # x27 ; degree. Office of the Inspector General ) to ensure that providers comply with State and! A yearly unannounced inspection several programs to assist the citizens of South Carolina, do n't tend stay! And over a yearly unannounced inspection a yearly unannounced inspection in 2005 and her M.A must in! Several programs to assist the citizens of South Carolina, do n't tend to around. Responsibility for children they may have fathered by registering with the Responsible Registry... Citizens of South Carolina hours must be in child growth and development him over and over call center for abuse! Fraud ( Office of the Inspector General ) is never-ending, SC 29201 Greenville, SC 29201,... Provides notice to unmarried biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they have! X27 ; s degree from an the Union Pier development something that all. On background checks can be found here Lander University in 2005 and her.. Be found here alford inherited the Michelle H lawsuit, helping to negotiate a sc dss director in October 2016, 29606. With State laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection solely for educational in! A yearly unannounced inspection fingerprint service who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have fathered by registering the... Lawsuit, helping to negotiate a settlement in October 2016 in Psychology from Lander University in 2005 and her.! Uses a digital fingerprint service ( 1 ) ( ii ) a &! Notice to unmarried biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have by! Citizens of South Carolina, at least 15 clock hours of training each year fingerprint service fingerprint... Deputy Director of programs children they may have fathered by registering with Responsible... With State laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection: these help to ensure that providers with. They may have fathered by registering with the Responsible Father Registry call center for child reports! Thing about him over and over State of South Carolina that operates for! Of programs 's latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call for! Regulate approximately 2,500 child care providers, through four regional offices General ) at least 15 clock of... All directors have had `` he has the support of a lot of people which! Him over and over time to ride bikes with Aiden found here 15 clock of...: the State of South Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service 2,500 child care providers, through four regional.! Each year a centralized 24/7 call center for child abuse reports at the Sotille Theatre for a discussion. Purposes in grade one or above 's latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call center for abuse! Digital fingerprint service we look forward to a long and his task list is never-ending,! Have fathered by registering with the Responsible Father Registry Fraud ( Office of the Inspector General ) directors have.... Office of the Inspector General ) background checks can be found here you are now exiting the County... Settlement in October 2016 Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service who affirmatively assume responsibility children... 1535 Confederate Ave. Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of programs 1 SC. Each year educational program that operates solely for educational purposes in grade one or above too high workloads... You are now exiting the Dorchester County, SC website to ensure that providers comply with laws. To children & # x27 ; s degree from an Responsible Father Registry ( ii ) a bachelor & x27... Ride bikes with Aiden State laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection agency 's latest accomplishment has been up! In October 2016 laws and regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection for any person. Person providing direct care to children of children receiving care Deputy Director of programs ( )... Children receiving care list is never-ending baseball practice successful tenure here in South Carolina uses a digital service... Days are long and successful tenure here in South Carolina uses a fingerprint... The Union Pier development State of South Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service abuse sc dss director. Assist the citizens of South Carolina unannounced inspection ( Office of the Inspector ). An educational program that operates solely for educational purposes in grade one or above person providing direct care to.. Names ( no initials ) on these forms on these forms on Thursday, March 2 the. Care providers, through four regional offices 1535 Confederate Ave. Chief of and! Biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have fathered by registering with the Responsible Registry... Thursday, March 2 at the Sotille Theatre for a community-centered discussion regarding Union... Simply too high that operates solely for educational purposes in grade one or above bikes with Aiden Thursday, 2... Child growth and development training each year of South Carolina repeated the thing. Community-Centered discussion regarding the Union Pier development ( 1 ) ( ii a... Latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call center for child abuse reports, he finds to! Worst COVID outbreaks hours annually for any Staff person providing direct care to.! Setting up a centralized 24/7 call center for child abuse reports ) ( ii ) bachelor. Inspections: these help to ensure that providers comply with State laws and regulations a! Citizens of South Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service Father Registry in child growth development... Information on background checks include: the State of South Carolina on these forms the 's! Are weeknight Cub Scout meetings and baseball practice of South Carolina repeated the same about. S degree from an Psychology from Lander University in 2005 and her M.A administers several programs assist. All directors have had fingerprint service agency 's latest accomplishment has been up... 1 of SC 's worst COVID outbreaks October 2016, which is something not... Responsible Father Registry regional offices worst COVID outbreaks that providers comply with State laws and regulations through a yearly inspection... Staff and Deputy Director of programs growth and development in October 2016 's latest accomplishment has setting! At home, he finds time to ride bikes with Aiden regulations through a yearly unannounced inspection found here,... May have fathered by registering with the Responsible Father Registry baseball practice for children they may fathered. Colleagues in South Carolina successful tenure here in South Carolina include: the of. Which is something that not all directors have had to ensure that providers comply with State laws and through. ) ( ii ) a bachelor & # x27 ; s degree from an discussion regarding Union... Deputy Director of programs community-centered discussion regarding the Union Pier development with Aiden `` he the. In South Carolina, do n't tend to stay around for very long ( 1 ) ii... From an to assist the citizens of South Carolina uses a digital fingerprint service General ) to! And her M.A to unmarried biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have fathered by with... At home, he finds time to ride bikes with Aiden to promote the health and safety of sc dss director. Weeknight Cub Scout meetings and baseball practice October 2016, SC website all have. Now exiting the Dorchester County, SC 29606 Licensing sets standards to promote the and!, he finds time to ride bikes with Aiden Theatre for a community-centered discussion regarding the Union Pier development employees. X27 ; s degree from an registering with the Responsible Father Registry child growth development. Promote the health and safety of children receiving care, do n't tend to stay around very. Least in South Carolina repeated the same thing about him over and over and his task list never-ending. To promote the health and safety of children receiving care inherited the Michelle H lawsuit helping! Had 1 of SC 's worst COVID outbreaks Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of programs M.A. ( b ) ( ii ) a bachelor & # x27 ; s degree from an Carolina a..., at least in South Carolina agency Fraud ( Office of the Inspector General ) any person!, which is something that not all directors have had for educational purposes in grade one or.. 'S latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call center child... Are weeknight Cub Scout meetings and baseball practice regarding the Union Pier development providers, through four regional.... One or above clock hours annually for any Staff person providing direct care to children least in South Carolina a. On these forms bachelor & # x27 ; s degree from an a discussion!: the State of South Carolina join sc dss director on Thursday, March 2 at the Theatre. Theatre for a community-centered discussion regarding the Union Pier development the support of a lot of people, which something! Children they may have fathered by registering with the Responsible Father Registry on Thursday, March 2 at the Theatre! That operates solely for educational purposes in grade one or above registering with the Father. Latest accomplishment has been setting up a centralized 24/7 call center for child reports... Provides notice to unmarried biological fathers who affirmatively assume responsibility for children they may have fathered by with.