Lawmaker Calls DSS Issues a “Crisis”

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The Department of Social Services took center stage again this week at the State House. “I feel like I want to beat my head up against a wall because we’ve been doing this for over a year now and I’ve seen no improvements,” says Senator Joel Lourie, D- Richland Senator Lourie’s frustration over child deaths in the state, where the agency was reportedly involved in the case, was evident. Just last week the agency announced upgrades to policies. Those include, working directly with statewide law enforcement to coordinate response, implementing a new caseload method, creating a regional in-take process and posting information about child fatalities on their website. Senator Lourie also called the issues at DSS a crisis for the people of South Carolina.