Chapter 1 Administration
- DSS Internship Policy and Procedures Manual
- Policy 1.1 GPS User Guide
- Policy 1.2 Mentoring Program
- Policy 1.3 - Regional Support Services
- Policy 1.4 Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
- Policy 1.6 Payments and Licensing Standards
- Policy 1.7 FCFamily Maintenance Payments
- Policy 1.8 FCMP-IV E
- Policy 1.10 Quality Assurance
- Policy 1.11 Continuous Quality Improvement
- Policy 1.12 SSBG Use of Funds Policy
- Work Aid 1.10.1 Debrief Work Aid
- Work Aid 1.12.1 Use of SSBG Funds
Chapter 2 Intake
- Intake Policy 200
- Intake Resource 2.2 - SDM Intake Manual
- Intake Work Aid 2.1 Using the Intake Screening and Response Tool
- Intake Work Aid 2.3 Interviewing
- Intake Work Aid 2.7 Reconsideration and File Fix Requests
- Intake Work Aid 2.8 Conducting and Documenting Searches
- Intake Work Aid 2.9 Protocol for Intakes Received by County Staff
- Intake Work Aid 2.10 County Notification Guide
- Policy 712 County of Jurisdiction Legal Residence
Chapter 3 Investigations
- Policy 300 Child Welfare Services Alerts
- Policy 301 Investigations
- Policy 712 County of Legal Residence
- Policy 739 CWS Disaster Response
- Policy 740 Worker Safety Procedures for Child Welfare Field Visits
- Work Aid 3.6 Safety Services and Planning
- Work Aid 3.9 School Contact
- Work Aid 3.10 Shift Guidance
- Work Aid 301.1 - Child Fatality Investigation Procedures
- WorkAid 3.1_InvestigativeCaseConsultations
- WorkAid 3.2_ConcertedEffortsToLocateFamilies
- WorkAid 3.3 InitialContact
- WorkAid 3.4 ConductingInterviews
- WorkAid 3.5_KinshipCareDuringInvestigations
- WorkAid 3.7 A CaseManagersGuide
- WorkAid 3.8 WithholdingHealthCare
Chapter 4 Family Preservation
- 400 Family Preservation Services Policy
- 400.1 Documentation
- 400.2 Team Leader Responsibilities
- 400.3 Concerted Efforts to Locate and Engage Families
- 401 Case Closure During Family Preservation Services Policy
- 401.1 Paths to Case Closure During Family Preservation Services
- 740 Worker Safety Procedures for Child Welfare Field Visits
- FPS Case Timeline Overview
- Service Intensity Chart
Chapter 5 Foster Care
- 500. Introduction to Foster Care
- 501 Policy Medication Administration, Storage, Transport, and Disposal
- 501.1 Work Aid Medication Administration, Storage, Transport, and Disposal
- 506 DCBR Policy
- 510.1_Entry into Foster Care
- 510.2 Removal of a Child from Placement
- 510.2.3_Temporary Events Policy
- 510.2.4_Non-kin Foster Family Home Placement (JAN25)
- 510.2.4_Non-kin Foster Family Home Placement Policy
- 510.2.5 Resource_Kinship Care Protocol for Licensing Kin and Fictive Kin Final
- 510.2.5_Placement with Kinship Caregivers policy
- 510.2.6_Respite Care Policy
- 510.3 Resource Quality Visitation Guide Final 2023
- 510.3 Policy Family Visitation
- 510.4 Case Planning & Management
- 510.5 Preserving Sibling Connections
- 510.6 Educational Needs
- 510.6.1_Home School Policy
- 510.7 Health Care Needs
- 510.7.000_Foster Care Health Care Policy- Ongoing Health Care
- 510.7.100 MCFCIFC Routine Medical Care and Treatment
- 510.7.101_Medical Consent for Children in Care_Non-Emergency Care Policy
- 510.7.102_MCFCIFC_Major Medical Care-Emergency Policy
- 510.7.103_MCFCIFC Withholding or Withdrawal of Life Sustaining Procedures Policy
- 510.7.200 Psychotropic Medication Informed Consent
- 510.8 Allegations of Abuse or Neglect & Child Deaths
- 510.9_Foster Care Title IV-E Eligibility policy
- 511 Group Care Utilization Management
- 512 Medically Therapeutic Foster Home Services
- 513 Policy Out of Country Travel
- 520 Policy Permanency Planning
- 520.1 Work Aid Permanency Planning
- 535 Foster Care Transportation Guidelines Policy
- 540. Legal Proceedings
- 540.1_Foster Care Review Board Meetings - Administrative Case Review policy
- 550 Special Considerations
- 550.1 Voluntary Placement
- 550.2 Juvenile Justice Involvement
- 550.3 Pregnant & Parenting Youth in Foster Care
- 550.5 The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children_ The Sending State
- 560. Termination of Foster Care Services
- 570.1_Case Manager Contacts with Parents Non-Custodial Parents and Guardians Policy
- 570.2_Case Manager Contacts with a Caregiver Policy
- 570_Case Manager Contacts with a Child Youth or Young Adults Policy
- 580 Missing or Abducted Children Response Policy
- 590 Qualified Residential Treatment Program Policy
- 591 Birth Certificate
- Resource 5.2 Overnight Stay Guidance
- Work Aid 5.2_Temporary Events Policy
- Work Aid 5.8 MCFCIFC Routine Medical Care and Treatment
- Work Aid 5.12 Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program
- Work Aid 511.1 Group Care Utilization Management Process
- Work Aid 512.1 MTFHS Eligibility Determination
- Work Aid(510.3)_Family Visitation Policy
- Work Aid_5.1_Respite Care
- WorkAid_5.4_Case Manager Contacts with Parents Non-Custodial Parents and Guardians Policy
- WorkAid_5.5_Case Manager Contacts with Children Youth and Young Adults Policy
- WorkAid_5.6_Case Manager Contact with a Caregiver Policy
- WorkAid_5.9_Medical Consent for Children in Foster Care- Non-Emergency
- WorkAid_5.10_MCFCIFC_Major Medical Care-Emergency Policy
- WorkAid_5.11_MCFCIFC Withholding or Withdrawal of Life Sustaining Procedures
- WorkAid_510.6.1_Home School Policy
Chapter 6 CFCIP
Chapter 7 Adoptions
- 418.04 Placement Process for Children Age Three Years and Older
- 418.05 Placement Process - Openness in Adoption
- 418.06 Placement Process - Ongoing Contact with Birth Family and_or Other Significant People
- 418.07 Placement Process - Canceling Proposed Placement After Visitation Has Begun
- 419 Post-Placement Services
- 419.01 Post-Placement Services - Extension Beyond Twelve (12) Months
- 420 Disruption
- 420.01 Removal of Child from Adoptive Home - Adoptive Parents Do Not Agree to Removal
- 421 Finalization of the Adoption
- 422 Adoption Preservation Services
- 423 Post-Legal Services to Adult Adoptees, Birth Families, and Adoptive Families - Non-identifying Information
- 423.01 Post-Legal Services to Adult Adoptees, Birth Families and Adoptive Families - Reunion Register
- 424 Application to Adopt
- 424.01 Application to Adopt - DSS Employee
- 424.02 Reapplication to Adopt
- 424.04 Application to Adopt - Fire Inspections
- 425 Adoptive Home Assessment - Approval
- 425.01 Adoptive Home Assessment - Denial
- 425.02 Adoptive Home Assessment - Updates
- 425.03 Approved Adoptive Home Record - Pending Status
- 425.04 Approved Adoptive Home Record - Closure
- 425.05 Adoptive Home Assessment - Providing Copy to Adoptive Parent
- 425.06 Adoptive Home Assessment - Re-opening a Closed Record
- 426 Foster Parent Adoption
- 427 Foster Care Review Board - Child has Plan of Adoption and Foster Care has Case Call Management
- 427.01 Foster Care Review Board - Child has Plan of Adoption and Adoption has Case Management
- 428 Judicial Review - Child in Foster Care with Plan of Adoption - Foster Care has Case Management
- 428.01 Judicial Review - Adoption has Case Management
- 429 Medical Consent
- 429.01 Medical Consent-Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated Or Relinquished and Agency Does Not Have Court
- 429.02 Medical Consent - Parental Rights Have Been Terminated or
- 429.03 Medical Consent - Medically Fragile Children
- 429.04 Medical Consent - Voluntary Placement
- 430 Interstate Compact on Adoption - South Carolina_ The Receiving State
- 430.01 Interstate Compact on Adoption - South Carolina_ The Receiving State - Post-Placement Supervision Reque
- 430.02 Interstate Compact on Adoption - South Carolina_ The Sending State
- 430.03 Interstate Compact on Adoption - Requesting Post Placement Services From Another State
- 431 Court Ordered Adoptive Home Studies
- 432 Adoption Expenses - Waiving or Reducing
- 433 Adoptive Placement Checklist
- 434 Background Summary Outline
- 435 Comprehensive Child Adoption Assessment
- 436 Separation of Siblings - Issues to Consider
- 437 Foster_Adoptive Family Assessment Summary_Pre-Placement Investigation Outline
- 437.01 Foster_Adoptive Family Assessment Summary_Pre-Placement Investigation Instructions
- 438 Reapplication Summary Outline
- 439 Guidelines for Denial of Adoptive Family Approval
- 440 Adoption Expenses
- 441 Medical Consent Cover Letter Requesting Consent from the County Director, MTS Director, MTS Regional Direc
- 441.01 Medical Consent Cover Letter Requesting Medical Consent from the State Director
- 442 Adoption Assistance
- 740 Worker Safety Procedures for Child Welfare Field Visits (1)
- 743_Responsible Father Registry Policy
- 744_Certified Adoption Investigator Complaint Policy
- 745 Adopt Us Kids(AUS)
- 746 Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) Policy
- CWS Resource 7600 Guide to Sharing Information With Foster Parents
- WorkAid_744.1_Certified Adoption Investigator Complaint Policy
- 401 Philosophy of Adoption and Birth Parent Services
- 410 Birth Parent Services - Intake
- 410.01 Birth Parent Services - Needs Assessment
- 410.02 Birth Parent Services - Service Plan
- 410.03 Birth Parent Services - Maternity Home Care
- 410.04 Birth Parent Services - Counseling for Maternity Home Clients Not Considering Adoption
- 410.05 Birth Parent Services - Services to Fathers
- 410.06 Birth Parent Services - Post-Placement Services to Birth Parents
- 411 Voluntary Placement
- 411.01 Foster Care for Infants Released for Adoption or Placed Voluntarily Pending An Adoption Plan
- 412 Parental Rights
- 412.01 Relinquishment - Children Not in Foster Care
- 412.02 Termination of Parental Rights - Children Who Enter Care Through Relinquishment
- 412.03 Termination of Parental Rights - Reports To the Court
- 413 Assessment for Adoption - Referral Accepted for Adoptive Placement Preparation
- 413.01 Assessment for Adoption - Referral Accepted for Assessment_Recruitment Only
- 414 Recruitment of Adoptive Parents - Child Specific
- 415 Preparation for Adoption
- 415.01 Child Resistant to Adoption
- 415.02 Life Book
- 416 Background Summary - Infant (Birth to 12 Months)
- 416.01 Background Summary - Child Older than 12 Months
- 417 Selection of Families for Placement
- 418 Placement Process - Separation of Siblings
- 418.01 Placement Process - Children of American Indian Ancestry (Indian Child Welfare Act) (ICWA)
- 418.02 Placement Process for Infants (Birth-12 Months)
- 418.03 Placement Process for Children Age One to Three Years
Chapter 8 Foster Family Licensing
- 700. Introduction
- 710. Non-Discrimination
- 720 Standards of Care
- 730. Recruitment
- 740. Intake & Background Checks
- 741. Foster Family Initial Licensing Assessment
- 741.1 Licensure of Kinship Foster Families
- 741.2 Licensure of Agency Staff
- 742. Application Determination
- 750.2 License Renewals
- 750.3 License Waivers
- 750.4 License Amendments
- 750.5 Reopening Closed Licenses
- 750.6 Transfer of a License to Another Agency
- 760.1 Home Visits & Foster Family Contacts
- 760.2 Foster Parent Training
- 760.3 Reasonable and Prudent Parenting
- 760.4 Foster Parent Insurance & Liability
- 760.5 Foster Parent Records & Confidentiality
- 760.6 Foster Parent Associations
- 760.7 Disaster Preparedness Plans
- 780. Appeal of an Adverse Agency Decision
- 781.Foster Home Survey Policy
- 782_Foster Parent Support Policy
Chapter 9 Kinship Care
Chapter 12 ICPC
- 1200 ICPC Policy Final
- Work Aid 12.1 ICPC Sending State Case Manager Referral Procedures
- Work Aid 12.2 ICPC Sending State Special Requests Referral Procedures
- Work Aid 12.3 Travel to Place or Retrieve a Foster Child in an ICPC Placement
- Work Aid 12.4 ICPC Sending State Out-of-State Case Management
- Work Aid 12.5 ICPC Georgia-South Carolina Border Agreement
- Work Aid 12.6 ICPC Receiving State Request for Home Study Procedures
- Work Aid 12.7 ICPC Receiving State Request for Special Home Study Procedures
- Work Aid 12.8 ICPC Receiving State Case Supervision by Counties and Regions
Chapter 13 OHAN
Chapter 14 Supervision
Chapter 15 Assessment and Planning
- CANS Reference Guide 2.1
- FFPSA CAPSS manual
- IL-CANS Reference Guide
- Policy 1646 - FAST Assessments
- Policy 1647 Family Permanency Plan
- Policy 1648 Service Referrals
- Policy 1650_CANS
- REFERENCE GUIDE_South Carolina FAST 1.2_FINAL_2026.02.12
- Resource_Flow Chart for Service Referral Policy
- Work Aid 16.6 How to Complete Service Referrals
- Work Aid 1647.1 Family Permanency Plan
- Work Aid_16.6_Service Referral Policy
Chapter 16 Special Topics
- Policy 751 Criminal Sexual Conduct
- Policy 752 Law Enforcement; DV, Arrest
- Policy 753 Compulsory School Attendance
- Policy 754 Indian Child Welfare Act
- Policy 758 Appendix SC Drug Endangered Children
- Policy 758.01.03 Excessive Corporal Punishment Guidelines
- Policy 1645_Service Needs of Non-Citizen Minors
- Policy 1649_Concerted Efforts
- Policy 1651 Concurrent Planning
- Policy 1652 - SLED and FBI Fingerprint-Based Background Checks
- Resource _Child Trafficking Poster
- Resource _National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention CDR Guide
- Resource CFTM Timelines
- Resource Child Death Review Reporting Form
- Work Aid 16.1 Referral for SANE Exam
- Work Aid 16.2 Trafficking Screening Tool
- Work Aid 16.3 Non-Citizen Minors
- Work Aid 16.4 Child Fatality Policy Child Death Review
- Work Aid 16.5- CFTM July 2023
- Work Aid 16.8 All-Staff Meeting Flow Chart.
- Work Aid 16.21 - Case Consultations for Trafficked Youth
- Work Aid 752.01 Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry
- Work Aid 752.02 Out of Court Statements by Certain Children
- Work Aid 758 .01 Clandestine Drug Laboratory Response
- Work Aid 1610.1 Family Wellness and Support Plan
- Work Aid 1639.1 - Removal Prevention Child and Family Team Meeting Process
- Work Aid 1649.1 Concerted Efforts Policy
- WorkAid_16.7_Child Fatality Response Work Aid All_Staff Meeting
- 1641_Resource_Critical Incident Response Protocol Flow Chart Updated
- DSS Poster 37159
- DSS Resource 1539 Questions to Consider
- Policy 1600_Child Trafficking
- Policy 1610 Family Wellness and Support Plan
- Policy 1620_Persons with Disabilities Right to Parent Act
- Policy 1621 Daniel's Law
- Policy 1630 Child Fatality Response
- Policy 1639 - Removal Prevention Child and Family Team Meetings
- Policy 1640 Safe Systems Analysis
- Policy 1641_Critical Incident Reporting
- Policy 1642 CFTM
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) conducts periodic reviews of its policies to promote alignment with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, agency priorities, and evolving program practices. When relying upon a statement of policy, users are encouraged to verify the most recent version. For additional information, please contact policy@dss.sc.gov.
*Current as of October 6, 2026*
