Columbia, SC… Estelle Stevenson has been promoted to state director for the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the Department of Children’s Advocacy. Her first day in this position is October 17, and she succeeds Jennifer Burch who left the agency in September.
In this position, Stevenson will oversee a team of almost 150 staff and 1,000 volunteers who provide best-interest advocacy for children involved in Department of Social Services abuse and neglect proceedings in family court across 45 South Carolina counties. For the 2025 fiscal year, the program served more than 10,600 children, averaging 6,000 cases per month.
“Estelle has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children in South Carolina. She brings to this position a wealth of experience in child and family services and a proven record of leadership,” says State Child Advocate Margaret Bodman, interim director of the Department of Children’s Advocacy. “I look forward to working with Estelle in this new capacity as she continues to advance the GAL program across the state, improving the ability of our volunteers and staff to advocate for children.”
“I have seen time and again how children’s lives are changed for the better because of the GAL program,” says Stevenson. “It is hard but fulfilling work, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead such a passionate team of advocates who are so dedicated to serving the best interests of the children.”
Stevenson has more than 27 years of child welfare experience and has worked with the GAL Program since 2013 as the county director for the Chester and Fairfield office.
Prior to that, she spent 15 years with the South Carolina Department of Social Services where she gained a wealth of knowledge working in Child Welfare Services and supervising the Investigations, Intake, Family Preservation, and Foster Care units as a human services coordinator.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate, Stevenson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing.
She brings not only her years of experience to this position but also a deep passion for advocating on behalf of children. She is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to making a lasting impact in the lives of the children across all 45 counties the GAL program serves.
About the Department of Children’s Advocacy
The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy’s mission is to champion advocacy, accountability, and service to improve outcomes for children served by state agencies in South Carolina. The DCA is an independent state agency which administers the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, Continuum of Care, Foster Care Review Division, and System Improvement Division.