2026 DSS Announces New Oconee County Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Communications & External Affairs
803-898-7602
publicinfo@dss.sc.gov

DSS Announces New Oconee County Director

February 6, 2026 - Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Social Services would like to announce Crystal C Sanders as the new Oconee County Director. She began her new position on Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

Ms. Sanders began her DSS career in Pickens County as a foster care case manager in 1997.  She remained in that position until transferring to Oconee County in 1999.   Ms. Sanders was promoted to a supervisory position in Foster Care in 2002 and again in 2008 to program coordinator.  In 2012, she accepted the position of Deputy Director in Anderson County and served in that capacity until moving into her new role with Oconee. 

“As an Oconee native, it is an honor to return to Oconee County to serve its children, families, and citizens in need,” said Ms. Sanders. “I look forward to building relationships with our county partners and providers and to working alongside the passionate team of professionals at the Oconee office.”

Ms. Sanders earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Anderson University and her master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and child welfare experience to Oconee County.

For more information on DSS services available for Oconee County and the state at large, please visit the SCDSS website here.

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