SCDSS Recognizes Foster Care Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Communications & External Affairs
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publicinfo@dss.sc.gov

SCDSS Recognizes Foster Care Awareness Month

May 4, 2026 –Governor Henry McMaster has declared May as Foster Care Awareness Month in South Carolina to highlight the important role that foster parents, kinship caregivers, child-placing agencies, and supporting non-profits play in working together with families to achieve reunification for children and youth in foster care. The collaborative efforts, as part of the larger child and family well-being community, are essential to strengthening families in South Carolina.

When children and youth cannot remain safely in their own home, foster parents provide a safe, nurturing environment while in foster care. As of May 4, the online SCDSS Foster Care Dashboard shows there are 3,402 children and youth currently in foster care in South Carolina. 

"Foster Care Awareness Month is a time for the community to unite and raise awareness about investing personal effort in the lives of children, youth, and families in our communities," said Tony Catone, DSS State Director. "There is a critical need for foster families who are open to serving teens, sibling groups, and youth with complex needs and provide them with stability and support when it is needed the most. It takes a special heart with a special calling to serve older teens and children with complex needs, but we know South Carolina is full of people who will hear that call and answer in such a time as this, when the need is greatest."

This year, SCDSS is emphasizing its commitment to a core belief: a home for every child. South Carolina needs additional family-like homes so that children do not have to wait for a family, can remain in their home communities whenever possible, and can stay together with their siblings. More foster homes also mean that teens and youth with complex needs can be cared for in stable, supportive families.

SCDSS continues to recruit foster parents year-round, not just in May, as the needs for the agency and the children and youth in foster care constantly change. 

To become a foster parent or to learn more about ways to support foster parents in your community, visit www.dss.sc.gov. You can also learn more by texting “DSS” to 211211.

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Editor’s Note: If a news outlet wishes to interview a foster parent in conjunction with Foster Care Awareness Month, DSS will try and help accommodate that request. Please email publicinfo@dss.sc.gov with your request and your deadline and every attempt will be made to locate a foster parent willing to participate.

DSS appreciates news outlets including contact information on how to become a foster parent in all articles and stories as Foster Care Awareness Month serves as an important tool in recruiting foster parents and families to serve children and youth in South Carolina. The greatest need for foster parents in South Carolina continues to be homes willing to serve older youth and teens, ages 10-17, sibling groups, and children with complex medical or therapeutic needs.

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