SC lawmakers reject millions for Social Services to hire child caseworkers

When South Carolina’s 124 state representatives take up the state’s $9.3 billion proposed budget in two weeks, it will not include $44.5 million requested to hire and retain Social Services caseworkers to oversee child-abuse cases.

Legislators have become increasingly frustrated with the state Department of Social Services — currently without a permanent director — as it struggles to retain and hire caseworkers. The agency also has been unable to answer legislators’ questions, including how many children in its custody died last year, lawmakers complain.

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