A Review of Child Welfare Services at the Department of Social Services
October 2014
Members of the S.C. General Assembly asked the Legislative Audit Council to review child welfare services, procurement, and agency management at the Department of Social Services.
Child welfare services focus on protecting children under the age of 18 from abuse and neglect. Examples of these services include:
• Assessment of abuse and neglect reports.
• Family preservation services.
• Foster care.
• Alternative care.
• Adoption.
• Community based services.
DSS is based in Columbia with 5 regional offices and 46 county offices. For FY 12-13, the department's reported spending was approximately:
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES $34.3 million
FOSTER CARE $68.9 million
ADOPTIONS $30.0 million
Federal funds comprised approximately 54% of these expenditures.