Advocate wants to create child advocacy board in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Members of a Senate committee overseeing South Carolina’s child welfare agency have heard an advocate’s request to create a child advisory board.

Children Come First Director Namoi Torfin testified Wednesday before the Senate Department of Social Services Oversight Committee.

Torfin says South Carolina will keep having the same problems with high DSS caseloads, poor communications with foster families and children left in danger unless there is independent body looking at DSS and other agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services that deal with children.

Sen. Joel Lourie told Torfin he is interested in her idea, but the Columbia Democrat wants to make sure it doesn’t create more bureaucracy. He also wants to talk to other child advocates before deciding whether he could introduce a bill creating the board.