Effective July 16, 2022, 9-8-8 replaces the 10-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255).

Modeled after 9-1-1, the new three-digit hotline is designed to be a memorable and quick method to connect people who are suicidal--or experiencing any mental health crisis--to a trained mental health professional.

South Carolina's 9-8-8 call lines are operated by the SC Department of Mental Health and Mental Health America Greenville.

The SC Lawyer magazine's July 2022 edition features an article regarding Safe Babies Courts written by Department of Children's Advocacy Director and State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle.

DSS attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, Guardian ad Litem attorneys, and parents’ attorneys are encouraged to make referrals to the Safe Babies Court team for families who are under Family Court jurisdiction and who have a child (age 0-3) who is in foster care or at risk of removal from the home. To make a referral, contact a Community Coordinator or the State Coordinator:

The S.C. Department of Children's Advocacy congratulates Foster Care Review Board 7A (Spartanburg) and Bianca Williams. Board 7A and Williams were recognized during the Foster Care Review Board's Annual Professional Development Day ceremony on June 24, 2022 as the winners of the 2021 Board awards.

Foster Care Review Board 7A (Spartanburg) was selected by the State Board of Directors' Awards Committee as the 2021 Foster Care Review Board of the Year.

Board 7A's members are:

Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed April 17-23 as Volunteer Week.  

The Department of Children's Advocacy highlighted volunteers on social media to recognize and thank the almost 2000 volunteers who work with us as board members on the Foster Care Review Board, as volunteer Guardians ad Litem, and as volunteer photographers for the S.C. Heart Gallery photo shoots.

Department of Juvenile Justice's Acting Director Eden Hendrick has requested $20 million to build a state-operated Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for seriously mentally ill, justice-involved youth.

The S.C. Department of Children's Advocacy celebrates November as Adoption Month. This year's theme is "Every Conversation Matters," and the campaign focuses on "finding the right adoptive family for each teen who is waiting and highlights the importance of engaging young people in all aspects of daily child welfare practice." Click here to read the 2021 National Adoption Month Children's Bureau's message. 

Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed October as Safe Sleep Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,500 sleep-related deaths occur among U.S. babies each year.

The Department of Children's Advocacy publishes a monthly update to connect with our partners, leaders and fellow advocates. Our most recent update is here.

The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy encourages everyone to participate in a valuable screener that is made available through a partnership among the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH), South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).