COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Call for Change in South Carolina’s Child Welfare System
In a recent press conference that has caught the attention of many, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has expressed his growing concerns regarding the state’s child welfare system. He described the situation as reaching a “breaking point,” particularly in light of the resignation announcement from Michael Leach, the head of the Department of Social Services (DSS), who plans to step down in January.
Understanding the Challenges
Governor McMaster shared with reporters that he and his staff made every effort to persuade Leach to remain in his position, describing the job as incredibly demanding and stressful. However, Leach’s choice to leave serves as a stark warning about the urgent challenges that South Carolina faces in this critical sector. “Right now, it is clear that there are some deficiencies in our system, and we’re going to have to fix it,” McMaster stated emphatically.
One particular area that has raised alarms is the struggle to find appropriate placements for children and teens in need. Sometimes it is necessary to place these young individuals in foster homes or juvenile justice facilities. Unfortunately, many times, there simply aren’t enough resources available. The Department of Juvenile Justice has reported that its detention center in Columbia is currently at full capacity. As a result, DSS is left scrambling to find safe havens for kids who arrive seeking help at any hour of the day or night. “They end up in the only place that’s available, and that is the offices of DSS, and that is not the right place for it to happen,” McMaster remarked.
A Call for Solutions
McMaster emphasized that the problem is impossible to address with the current level of resources, indicating that changes are necessary. Leach, in his resignation letter, mentioned he felt compelled to serve at DSS during a tumultuous time when people needed help the most. Despite not providing a specific reason for his departure after five-and-a-half years, he pointed out that his decision was not made lightly. “He’d been doing this for so long,” the governor noted, referring to Leach’s dedication to the role while considering his young family who misses their father.
The Road Ahead
Governor McMaster insists that all potential solutions need to be explored to remedy the situation, hinting that increased funding could be part of the answer. These funds could go towards housing options or even act as incentives for counties to reopen their youth detention centers. For instance, Greenville County’s juvenile wing had to close in 2022 due to staffing shortages, and Richland County followed suit this summer, leaving Charleston as the only county in South Carolina with its own youth detention center.
Amid these challenges, the Governor pointed to a recent allocation of nearly $7 million in the state budget for leasing and operating the former Greenville facility, although it has not yet reopened. “We’ve been working for a long time to try to answer this, and it’s clear they are not getting better,” McMaster emphasized, underlining the gravity of the problem at hand.
Leadership Changes Ahead
As the state looks to tackle these pressing issues, McMaster also faces the task of finding a replacement for Leach as the new DSS director. He acknowledged it would be a tough job to fill, given Leach’s extensive experience and significant contributions to improving the state’s child welfare agency. Leach has been recognized for his efforts in increasing public adoptions and ensuring that more foster children are placed with family members or loved ones.
Interestingly, Leach isn’t the only leadership change on the horizon. This week also marks the retirement of Robert Kerr, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicaid and healthcare for some of South Carolina’s most vulnerable children. Without a doubt, the state is entering a period of transformation, and many are hoping for positive changes that prioritize the well-being of children and families in need.
