South Carolina Department of Social Services
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Contact Information
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202
United States
Online Contact Form
Columbia, SC 29202
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Foster care is the temporary care of children whose families are having problems and the children cannot safely remain in the home. Children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services (DSS) are placed in a licensed foster home or group care facility that can best meet their needs while their parents work with DSS to resolve their problems. Some children are able to be placed with family members, called kinship caregivers. They may be eligible to become Kinship Foster Parents.
During this separation period, the department works first toward returning the children to a safe home environment. If reuniting with their biological family is not possible, then permanency is sought through termination of parental rights and adoption. Youths remaining in foster care receive assistance to make a successful transition into adulthood.
Services and information
- Kinship / Relative Care
- Non Related Kin (NRKIN)
- Traditional Foster Care
- Specialized / Therapeutic Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
- Other
Requirements to become a foster parent
Foster parents receive financial support in the form of a monthly board rate. Foster children also receive a clothing allowance, and their medical needs are covered through Medicaid.
In addition to the support you receive from your local DHS or foster care agency, there are other programs and resources available to parents.
The South Carolina Foster Parent Association offers free training to foster parents and kinship caregivers. You can find information on the latest laws and events as well. Plus, you gain access to valuable resources such as informational articles, contact information for professionals, etc.
The SC Foster Parent Association also allows foster families to connect with one another and share advice. You can find local association meetings in your area on their website.
The program Heartfelt Calling's mission is recruiting and supporting foster and adoptive families. Parents can learn more about the system, start the application process, register for orientation, find webinars, and more.
Foster parents that care for children in DSS custody receive reimbursement for related costs. These monthly foster care payments are meant to meet a child's basic care needs.
The most recent board rates are on the South Carolina Department of Social Services website. Payments may vary depending on a child's age and special needs.
Here are the basics;
Board Rates for Regular Foster Homes
Effective July 1, 2023
- Regular Foster Care - Age 0-5
- Monthly Rate - $644.00
- Daily Rate - $21.47
- Regular Foster Care - Age 6-12
- Monthly Rate - $752.00
- Daily Rate - $25.07
- Regular Foster Care - Age 13-20
- Monthly Rate - $794.00
- Daily Rate - $26.47
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
1.8 / 5| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 |
Oct 20, 2020
Sorry staff .its been 6 weeks since i was approved for Snap and still no card .and no one cares
Oct 07, 2020
If I could give this place 0 stars I would!!! This place is a joke. They blame their system for their errors, are constantly sending out wrong information, and the workers are beyond lazy and rude. All they do is give you the run around and different numbers to call knowing you will never get in touch with anybody. They want all your information only to lose it or swear they never received it even when you have proof they did. What a disgrace to South Carolina. I din't see why the governor has not gotten involved.
Sep 28, 2020
I was given 5 different phone numbers trying to find my case worker. Still never figured out who tf to talk to. Good luck even getting put through to the right robot. Not to mention the website is not user friendly what so ever.
Sep 13, 2020
It's been helpful place..
Aug 10, 2020
Is it possible to give less than a one star? Wow, I wait for thirty two minutes on hold to get confirmation on information given to me two weeks ago by an DSS agents pay on our account. Today I’m told I can’t be given that information and will need to have the man that’s working hard, sweating in the attic, stop and call in to wait for another thrifty minutes and be greeted with an agent with an attitude, all to answer a question. Why are you making it hard for people to give you money? Why the attitude? How is this helping anyone in a time when families are in desperate need? Help! Help! Help! This is shameful as a state organization