Gov. Haley names director of troubled DSS

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has named a former director at South Carolina’s Department of Juvenile Justice as her choice to lead the troubled Department of Social Services.

Haley’s announcement Monday of Susan Alford comes six months after the departure of former Director Lillian Koller, who resigned amid bipartisan calls for her ousting.

Haley also announced the director of the state’s business licensing agency will move over to DSS as Alford’s special assistant.

A Senate panel has been investigating the agency’s problems since January. An audit released in October found the agency fails to properly protect abused and neglected children.

Haley had refused for months to fire Koller as she dismissed the criticism as election-year politics.

Alford takes over from acting director Amber Gillum. Alford’s nomination still faces confirmation by the Senate.