Senators: DSS must quickly hire caseworkers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina senators say the Department of Social Services needs to hire more caseworkers now and not wait until after legislators pass a budget next year.

A Senate panel directed agency officials Tuesday to create a plan within two weeks for getting certified and trained caseworkers on the job as soon as possible. Democratic Sen. Joel Lourie of Columbia said South Carolina’s children can’t wait for a budget process that creates a two-year delay.

Agency officials had planned to seek funding in the 2015-16 budget for 202 employees, which include 81 supervisors.

Data provided to senators showed the agency has just five additional county-level employees currently working cases compared to May, despite announcing 50 hires.

Senators say caseworkers in at least three counties are responsible for more than 100 children.