DSS Hopes Grant Lets Caseworkers Spend More Time Visiting

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A grant to the Department of Social Services will allow caseworkers in three counties to access children’s files on their smartphones while away from the office.

The agency announced Wednesday the award from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation.

Spokeswoman Karen Wingo says the $250,000 grant will fund the development of an app allowing access to the agency’s network.

Currently, caseworkers cannot access a child’s complete file while visiting a family and must return to their office to document that visit. The agency estimates caseworkers spend more than half of their working hours on paperwork.

DSS is piloting the app in Greenville, York and Lee counties _ chosen for their differing sizes. Officials expect the counties’ more than 150 caseworkers will be using the app by May, 2017.