Leadership

 

Michael Leach

Michael Leach is the State Director for the South Carolina Department of Social Services.  Prior to his appointment, Mr. Leach served with the Department of Children’s Services for more than 10 years, most recently as the Deputy Commissioner of Child Programs.  There, he also served as Executive Director of the Office of Continuous Quality Improvement; Director of Performance and Quality Improvement; Director of Independent Living and Director of System Integrations. Mr. Leach has done extensive public speaking related to his experience with the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool, Extension of Foster Care and helped the child welfare agency maintain accreditation through the Council on Accreditation. Mr. Leach was also a therapist at the Vanderbilt Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic in Tennessee and has experience in facilitating crisis response services at a community mental health center and case management in congregate care.

 

Administration
Don Grant, Deputy State Director
(803)-898-0585

Adult Advocacy
Kelly Cordell, Director
(803) 898-7654

Agency Quality Assurance and CQI
Suzanne Sutphin, Director 
(803) 360-5746

Chief Financial Officer
Susan Roben
803-898-4043

Chief Information Security Officer
David Snyder
(803) 319-2958

Chief Transformation Officer
Steven Ferrufino
(803) 898-1805

Child Support Services
Tim Mose, Director
(803) 898-9240

Child Welfare Services
Emily Medere, Deputy State Director
(803) 898-1370

Communications and External Affairs/Legislative Liaison
Connelly-Anne Ragley, Director
(803) 898-4357

Constituent Services/Special Projects
Pam Bryant, Director
(803) 898-1512

Data, Accountability and Research
Diana Tester, Director
(803) 898-7880

Economic Services
Amber Gillum, Deputy State Director
(803) 898-7474

General Counsel
Tony Catone
(803) 898-7368

Human Resources
Glenise Elmore, Director
(803) 898-1912

Individual and Provider Rights
Chip Payne, Director
(803) 898-8080

Information Technology
Jose Encarnacion, Director
(803) 724-5325

Inspector General
Sean Fay
(803) 898-8017

Internal Audits
Beth Adkins, Director
(803) 898-7458

Professional Development and Innovation
Garry James, Director
(803) 734-1398

Office of Strategic Planning and Innovation
Miranda L. Creech
(803) 543-2987

GENERAL INFORMATION  
ONLINE CONTACT FORM
For general information or assistance, contact Constituent Services at 803-898-7601.
MEDIA  
If you are a member of the media seeking an interview, data, or information on our various programs, please contact us at PublicInfo@dss.sc.gov or call 803-898-7602.

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Child Welfare Services Transformation

Best Outcomes for Children and Families

Do you have a complaint regarding services being provided to a child by a state agency? Please submit your complaint by phone (1-800-206-1957) or an electronic submission form here with the South Carolina Department of Children's Advocacy.