What Does South Carolina Department of Social Services Do?

Total employees3900
HeadquartersColumbia
Founded1972

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS) is a state government agency responsible for protecting children, adults, and families by administering a wide range of social service programs. Key services include child welfare (child protective services, foster care, adoption), adult protective services, and economic support programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and child care assistance. SC DSS aims to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, and to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Where Is South Carolina Department of Social Services's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the central administrative office for the South Carolina Department of Social Services, overseeing statewide programs, policy development, fiscal management, and operational support for county offices.

Notable Features:

The headquarters is part of the State government complex in Columbia, typically a functional office building designed for administrative operations.

Work Culture:

The work culture is public service-oriented and mission-driven, focusing on serving vulnerable populations. Employees often face challenging situations but find their work rewarding. Collaboration and adherence to regulatory frameworks are key aspects.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters is the nerve center for social service delivery across South Carolina, critical for ensuring the well-being of thousands of residents and managing substantial state and federal resources.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters operations reflect values of public trust, accountability, compassion, and a commitment to serving the citizens of South Carolina, particularly those in need.

Location:

The South Carolina Department of Social Services operates exclusively within the state of South Carolina. It maintains a significant presence with offices located in all 46 counties to ensure accessible social services for residents statewide. The agency collaborates with federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for program funding, oversight, and compliance, but does not have an operational presence outside of South Carolina.

Street Address:

1535 Confederate Avenue

City:

Columbia

State/Province:

SC

Country:

USA

Where Else Does South Carolina Department of Social Services Operate Around the World?

Charleston County, SC, USA

Address: 3346 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Serves as the primary point of contact and service delivery hub for DSS programs within Charleston County, addressing the specific social service needs of the local population.

Greenville County, SC, USA

Address: 714 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

Functions as the main DSS service center for Greenville County, ensuring access to essential support services and protection for vulnerable residents in one of the state's most populous regions.

Buying Intent Signals for South Carolina Department of Social Services

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading South Carolina Department of Social Services? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, South Carolina Department of Social Services' leadership includes:

Michael Leach - State Director
Joan Meacham - Chief of Staff
Tori Burke - General Counsel
Karen Wingo - Deputy Director for Communications & External Affairs
Autumn Herbruck - Deputy Director, Adult Protective Services & Child Care Services
Amanda Whittle - Deputy Director for Child Welfare Services

Who's Investing in South Carolina Department of Social Services?

South Carolina Department of Social Services has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

State appropriations from the South Carolina General Assembly
Federal grants from various U.S. government agencies (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture)
Program-specific fees and reimbursements (e.g., child support collections)

What Leadership Changes Has South Carolina Department of Social Services Seen Recently?

Hire1
Exits1

The most significant recent executive change was the confirmation of Michael Leach as the permanent State Director in May 2023, following a period with an acting director. Such appointments are typically made by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

Departures

Freddie Pough, Freddie Pough concluded his role as Acting State Director following the appointment of a permanent director.

New Appointments:

Michael Leach, Michael Leach was confirmed as the new State Director for the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used bySouth Carolina Department of Social Services?

Discover the tools South Carolina Department of Social Services uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

South Carolina Department of Social Services Email Formats and Examples

Email addresses for employees at the South Carolina Department of Social Services generally follow a standardized state government format. The most common format is FirstName.LastName@dss.sc.gov.

FirstName.LastName@dss.sc.gov

Format

jane.doe@dss.sc.gov

Example

80%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About South Carolina Department of Social Services?

Count on News 2 (WCBD-TV)January 26, 2024

South Carolina Department of Social Services announces $2.5M to address childcare crisis

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) announced an investment of $2.5 million to help combat the ongoing childcare crisis in the state. The funds will be used for various initiatives aimed at increasing the availability and affordability of quality childcare....more

Post and CourierOctober 19, 2023

South Carolina Department of Social Services news title: SC foster care system sees improvements but still faces challenges, new DSS director says

Newly appointed SC DSS Director Michael Leach discussed recent improvements in the state's foster care system while acknowledging persistent challenges. He outlined his priorities, focusing on caseworker retention, timely permanency for children, and strengthening support for foster families....more

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