DSS Caseloads in South Carolina Could Spike says Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The Department of Social Services director is warning legislators that caseloads will spike again later this year as the agency’s rollout of regional call centers opens the “flood gates” to reports of suspected child abuse.

Director Susan Alford told a Senate panel Thursday that regional hubs will open for 19 smaller counties in July, and the rollout should be completed by November, with Charleston and Greenville counties added last.

Their openings come two years after Alford put the regional call centers on hold until the agency could boost its ranks. Cases had skyrocketed where hubs had opened, partly because callers could actually get someone on the phone.

The agency’s budget request for 2017-18 includes money for hiring 23 people so the seven regional hubs can take calls around-the-clock.