COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina's Department of Social Services searches for its next director, there are questions about what the departure of Mike Leach will mean for the state’s foster care system.
The state currently has over 3,000 children in foster care. And while DSS has made improvements in recent years, they still need help to give each child the support they deserve.
Davon Woods and his brother spent the first two years of their life in the foster care system before being adopted.
“Me and my brother, we got taken at birth. Our biological mom was on drugs. We both tested positive for crack, and we weighed two pounds,” Woods shared.
But growing up without their birth parents took a toll on the brothers.
“It was extremely hard for us because we didn’t know anything about ourselves. We didn’t know where we were from. We didn’t know if we had parents. For 17 years. So, that was very challenging,” Woods said.
Today, the brothers are advocates for the foster care system and try to encourage others to make a difference.
“The thing is with the foster care system, it’s just one of those things that’s just not talked about enough. Because at the end of the day, that’s what it takes. It takes everybody coming together to take a stand for these kids and to be a voice,” Woods explained.
In South Carolina, DSS manages thousands of kids in care. Connelly-Anne Ragley, Chief External Affairs Officer with the department said that achieving successful outcomes for youth in the system takes multiple partners.
“Today, in South Carolina, there are 3,382 children and youth in foster care. That’s down almost 1,400 children in the last four years. We are just one part of that child and family health and well-being system. Other partners in that include the school districts, local hospitals and the medical community, as well as our sister agencies, as well as juvenile justice,” Ragley said.
The Department of Social Services also partners with groups across the state that provide additional resources and housing for juveniles.
And while additional funding from the state is always needed, so too are people willing to open up their homes and become certified foster parents.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in learning about foster care and what it takes, to visit heartfeltcalling.org to learn more,” Ragley said.
Woods said getting involved in the foster care program is an investment in the future.
“We need more people just making sure that these kids are taken care of because they’re the future you. They’re the future me. So if we’re not making sure that the youth are taken care of, what are we really doing?" he asked.