Welcome to the January 2024 edition of The Advocate, and thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share the latest updates from the Department of Children’s Advocacy with you.

As we put this issue together, we noticed a theme of recognition for a job well done. And it came in many different forms:

• Families using our Continuum of Care services gave thanks to wrap facilitators for helping their children
• GAL received an award from the Marion County NAACP and also held holiday dinners to say thank you to staff and volunteers
• We express our gratitude for Foster Care Review Board members who went above and beyond to raise donations that directly benefit children in foster care
• I successfully completed my graduate studies program and had the honor of walking the stage during USC’s winter commencement ceremony

We are excited for the many opportunities that await us in 2024, but we need your help to keep our momentum building. We still have many vacant staff and Foster Care Review Board positions waiting to be filled, and our Guardian ad Litem program is always looking for additional volunteers to be the voice of children in abuse and neglect cases.

Information on each of these opportunities can be found below, and we invite you to explore them and/or share them with anyone you know who is looking to make a positive change in the lives of children.

Department of Children’s Advocacy

Director of Planning and Research

Emilie Wheatley

Emilie Wheatley started on November 2. Prior to her arrival, she spent three years utilizing her education in public health at the Department of Health and Environmental Control as a quality assurance specialist and then a performance management, quality improvement, and evaluation manager. She spent that time working alongside public health programs to implement performance accountability and quality improvement, using a results-based accountability framework and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and evaluating large, cross-functional grants.

Emilie says she is most excited to work alongside other passionate child advocates to improve outcomes for children across the state.

Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem

Program Assistant - Florence

Kierra Peterson

Kierra Peterson started on December 18. She is a dedicated professional with a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. Beyond her professional endeavors, Kierra finds the greatest joy in being a parent to her loving 6-month-old baby girl, Kennedy, and her four wonderful bonus children.

Acknowledging Excellence

Congrats to these COC employees who were recently recognized for their excellent care by the families with whom they work. Wrap Facilitators Crystal Hooks and Ja’Nae Middleton were mentioned by name on surveys intended to asess adherence to the principles and practices of high-quality wraparound care coordination.

Thank you!

Huge shout out to FCRB members from 05E Kershaw Mary Long, Laurie Parks and Megan Keys (on the computer screen) who collected $1500 in gift cards from their annual donation drive to help youth in foster care.

Also pictured is Review Board Coordinator Skylar Ackerson (far right), and team members from Kershaw County DSS Shanika Goodman (far left) and Kimberly Loynes, (second from right).

Condolences

We are sad to share that a former FCRB member from Pickens, Kelli Dulin, died unexpectedly on January 5.

Kelli was a tireless advocate and joined the FCRB after she retired from a career in education. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and express our gratitude for her service to the children of Pickens County.

Meet Max & Vic W.

Photo credit: Kyra Spivey, 2022

Maxwell and Victor, who also go by Max and Vic describes themselves as happy, funny and laid back.

Max (born in 2010) likes video games, reading, and every food except seafood.

Vic (born in 2009) wants to be in the military when he grows up. His favorite entertainer is his brother Max.

Max and Vic envision that their family will be responsible.

To inquire about adopting Max and Vic, or any of the Heart Gallery children, visit scheartgallery.sc.gov.

And the award goes to...

The Marion County GAL office received the Empowered Leadership Award at the 34th Annual Marion County Branch NAACP Banquet on December 16. Marvin Hemingway, president of the Marion County NAACP and a Marion volunteer GAL, presented the award to LaDara Depugh, state director of the GAL program.

(l to r) Qualina Murrill, Brandi Johnson, Maticia Simmons, LaDara Depugh, Marvin Hemingway, and Sarah Schultz.

Parental Awareness Community

Empowerment Summit

The SC Department of Mental Health coordinated a two-day Parental Awareness Community Empowerment Summit at Morris College in Sumter intended to “engage, educate, and mobilize communities to take action to help youth in our state.”

The GAL program was there to share their resources and and learn about other resources in the community and across the state. They also had the opportunity to meet with keynote speakers, including William Kellibrew, a global victims advocate and author, pictured above with GAL staff members Sarah Schultz, Celestine Cooper, and Valarie Hilton.

Watch WLTX’s story and catch a glimpse of the GALs in action!

Let the Celebrations Begin!

On December 18, DCA Director and State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s Graduate Studies Program in the area of Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

Whittle pursued the course of study to strengthen her knowledge about identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery for individuals diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, including co-occurring intellectual and related disabilities and substance use disorder diagnoses.

She completed the program with a 4.0 GPA and wasted no time putting her new academic successes to good use by enhancing her advocacy on behalf of individual children and youth and by developing recommendations regarding a behavioral health system of care for children.

Clarendon GAL Program Assistant Valarie Hilton spreads cheer at the office’s holiday dinner for staff and volunteers.

Holiday Gatherings

A few festive photos from the final weeks before the holiday break.

COC’s Cassandra Hilton, Debra King, Teresa Rhodes, and Greg Wright enjoy their holiday lunch and leadership meeting.

Florence County shared holiday cheer with their staff and volunteers during an informative and fun in-service/appreciation event. Guest speaker Kevin Durant (inset, with Brandi Johnson) joined them to discuss the therapeutic services he offers the community. With love and warm wishes, Florence sent home each volunteer with a gift to remind them of how much they’re appreciated!

Make This Year Count