Harrison Named Director for DSS Child Welfare Region 1
October, 9, 2017 – Nikita Harrison was recently selected to be the regional director for S.C. Department of Social Services Child Welfare Region I. This region includes Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, and Spartanburg counties.
“Harrison comes to this position with extensive child welfare and academic experience as well as proven leadership and management experience,” said Taron Davis, Deputy State Director of Child Welfare Services Division.
Before being promoted to this current role, Harrison worked the last year and a half as the Anderson County DSS director.
“I am excited about the opportunity and welcome the challenge,” Harrison said. “I look forward to bringing our region in line with best practice so that we can improve our work with families and our community. I would love to change how families and our community view us when we become involved so that we are seen as a helping agency.”
Her career with DSS began in 1999 as a Children’s Services Supervisor in the SCDSS Division of Intensive Foster Care and Clinical Services Division. While working with IFCCS from 1999-2011, Harrison held various roles as supervisor, program director and regional director.
From August 2011 to August 2012, she served as the deputy director for Anderson County DSS. Then Harrison became the Pickens County DSS director for three and a half years before becoming the Anderson County director. She has also served as an interim county director for Oconee.
Harrison is a graduate of South Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, May 1992; Ohio University with a masters of health administration, June 1994; and Converse College with an education specialist degree in marriage and family therapy, August 2008. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and supervisor.
Additionally, Harrison currently serves on the South Carolina Board of Examiners for the Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapist and Psycho-educational Specialists.
