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The Child Support Services Division (CSSD) does not have the authority to address custody and visitation issues on behalf of either parent. The CSSD can only assist in the establishment of paternity and the establishment and enforcement of a child support order. The CSSD is focused on making sure the non-custodial parent lives up to his/her financial responsibility in raising the child.

The CSSD, however, realizes that a parent's responsibilities do not begin or end with financial support. In order for a child to receive the fullest upbringing possible, the child must have the financial and emotional support of both parents. The more involved both parents are in the raising of the child, the better off the child will be.

Realizing the importance of both parents being involved with the child, the CSSD has initiated a pilot project called Visitation Involvement Parenting (VIP), in which the CSSD provides mediation services for the parents to establish a plan for access and visitation so that the child will have the benefit of both parents taking an active role in their life. The VIP Program also provides employment and training services for the non-custodial parent so that he/she can adequately provide financial support for the child and the VIP Program will provide instruction to both parents on how to request help from the Family Court to enforce the visitation order.

As a pilot program, the CSSD can only provide the VIP Program in the following counties: Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chester, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland. In order for the VIP Program to be available to you, your child/children must reside with the custodial parent in one of these counties and the non-custodial parent must agree to travel to the county where the custodial parent lives for any classes or mediation sessions.

If you are interested in the VIP Program and your child/children lives in Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, or Jasper Counties, please contact:

Lillie Holmes
VIP Program
Child Support Services - Charleston Office
3346 E. Rivers Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-9246
Fax: (843) 953-9155


If you are interested in the VIP Program and your child/children lives in Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Newberry, Orangeburg, or Richland Counties, please contact:

Linda Cook
VIP Program
Child Support Services - Columbia Office
3150 Harden Street Ext., Suite 103
Columbia, SC 29202-1270
Phone: (803)898-9350
Email: Linda.Cook@dss.sc.gov