DSS, Koller Fire Back at Lourie’s Claims

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — In response to democratic state senator Joel Lourie’s claims DSS is not in compliance with state law, Marilyn M. Matheus, Constituent Services and Public Information for the agency, fires back with claims and statistics of her own. Please see the following email/statement submitted the ABC Columbia newsroom: Good evening, Earlier this afternoon Senator Lourie held a press conference where he made numerous claims about the work DSS does protecting children and families across the state. Much of what Senator Lourie said was either incorrect or taken completely out of context. Please see below for response to some of Senator Lourie‘s claims: Senator Lourie claim: Close to 50 percent of reports of suspected child abuse aren’t answered within 24 hours. DSS reality: This statement confuses intake with investigations. Annual data in DSS April 2014 report confirms that more than 95% of referrals for investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect have timely initiation of investigation within 24 hours. Senator Lourie claim: 20 percent of foster care kids aren’t being seen by caseworkers at least once a month. DSS reality: This statement is false. Annual data in DSS March 2014 report confirms that more than 90% of the children in open foster care cases are seen by DSS caseworkers at least once a month. Senator Lourie claim: 235 DSS cases have been open for more than 45 days. DSS reality: This statement is false. First, investigations of suspected child abuse or neglect are permitted to take up to 60 days to complete. Annual data in DSS March 2014 report confirms 96.1% of investigations were completed timely. When Director Koller began at DSS, there were nearly 25,000 investigations pending more than 60 days in the system. “From the day I began as Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services, I have worked to improve the safety and well-being of our children,” said Koller. “While there are always things we need to improve upon, we have also made great strides in many critical areas. I do not intend to let politics or any personal agenda impede this agency‘s continued progress in making the lives of children and families in South Carolina better.” Stay with ABCColumbia for updates on this developing story.