Koller: DSS determining ideal caseload for workers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The embattled director of South Carolina’s Department of Social Services acknowledges many workers’ caseloads are too large.

Lillian Koller told a Senate panel on Wednesday the agency is working to determine what’s practical, as required by the federal government. Meanwhile, she pledges to get a weekly report on employees whose caseloads exceed 30 and says she’ll personally call county directors to ask why.

It was Koller’s second appearance before a Senate panel investigating potential problems at the agency. It has met six times since January.

Senators questioned the agency’s reported average of six cases per worker. Senators say that number doesn’t correspond with what they’ve been told. Employees have complained of high turnover because of the stress of being responsible for up to 100 cases.