I am grateful to share with you the February 2023 edition of the Department of Children's Advocacy's newsletter, containing highlights from the last month.

We are so proud to share that three of our GAL staff have been invited to serve in leadership positions for the National CASA/GAL Association for Children! This is a tremendous testimony to the hard work our team does every day for the children of South Carolina. Learn more below.

Deputy Child Advocate Kayla Capps was also invited to take part in a panel discussion held by the USC School of Law's Children's Advocacy Law Society, where she told of the important work the DCA performs and how these future lawyers can get involved.

I was fortunate to take part in two events this month that were aimed at remedying the many challenges our state faces regarding the services provided to children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, related disabilities, and autism. I addressed the SC Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs advocating for improved access to behavioral health services and residential habilitation for children served by the Dept. of Disabilities and Special Needs, and I also attended the release of Disability Rights South Carolina and SC Institute of Medicine and Public Health's report on ways to strengthen home and community-based services for people with disabilities (view a PDF of the report).

We thank you for reading this newsletter and for all you do to improve outcomes for children in South Carolina.

Have an item you'd like to share? Please send us your questions, concerns, and recommendations for future newsletters. We'd love to hear from you.

Jamika Brealon started on February 2. She was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and graduated from South Carolina State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science.

Jamika and her beautiful eight-year-old daughter currently reside in Eastover. Her hobbies are crafting, traveling, and trying different restaurants. She also loves volunteering at children’s daycares and chaperoning with her daughter’s school.

Jamika's goal in life is to develop all her passions into a successful career. She also strives to be the best mom and role model for her child.

Ashley Tunstall started on February 17 as a GAL case worker in Darlington County. Ashley grew up in Darlington, South Carolina, and graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology.

She enjoys spending time with her son and traveling. Ashley is most looking forward to making a change in the lives of children in her community.

We are on the lookout for top talent to fill key positions that will truly make a difference in the lives of children in our state. Do you know someone who would be a good fit for one of the positions below? Encourage them to apply today!

• Case Worker II with Continuum of Care (Wraparound Facilitator)
• Program Manager I with Continuum of Care (Midlands Region Program Director)
• Program Manager I with Continuum of Care (Pee Dee Region Program Director)
• Program Coordinator I with Foster Care Review (Review Board Coordinator)
• Program Coordinator II with Foster Care Review (Data Analyst/CQI Coordinator )
  

Welcome to Our

New GAL Volunteers

GALs Leading the Way

Three Guardian ad Litem staff have been appointed to serve as members of various councils for the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. Of course we're biased, but National CASA/GAL couldn't have made a better choice.

LaDara Josey Depugh, director of the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem program, is now a member of the 2023 State Leadership Council. The SLC is a working council whose purpose is to advise and partner with National CASA/GAL to address strategic issues impacting local programs and the future development and growth of the network

Shateque Hacker, Colleton County Coordinator, was appointed as a member of the 2023 Rural Leadership Council. Shateque will join other CASA/GAL staffers from across the country on a special yearlong council designed to “advise and partner with National CASA/GAL to address strategic issues impacting local programs and the future development and growth of the network, prepare for sustainable growth, and most importantly, generate better outcomes for the children we serve.”

Elizabeth Bryant, Berkeley County Coordinator, was appointed to a two-year term on the Suburban Leadership Council. The SuLC is a “working council whose purpose is to advise and partner with National CASA/GAL to address strategic issues impacting local programs and the future development and growth of the network.”

Meet Hailey B.

Photo credit: Mike Baker, 2023

Hailey loves gymnastics and jumping on trampolines with friends. She said that her friends describe her as nice and kind. Her favorite movie of all time is The Emoji Movie.

When Hailey grows up, she wants to be a nurse so that she can help others. She really likes being around people because they make her feel happy when she is feeling sad.

Hailey’s wish is that someone would love her as a regular kid and not just a foster kid.

To inquire about adopting Hailey, or any of the other Heart Gallery children, visit scheartgallery.sc.gov.

Heart Gallery Exhibits Go to the Next Level

Christina Grant, South Carolina Heart Gallery Coordinator, has been busy transforming the state offices of both DSS and DCA in an effort to raise awareness of the many legally free children awaiting adoption around South Carolina.

"Every one of these kids needs and deserves a forever home, and the more we can do to recruit future parents, the better their chances," says Grant. "These permanent installations will be in addition to our Heart Gallery exhibits across the state, and I'm so thankful that we were given permission to decorate the walls and give some great visibility to these children."

Photos: 1. Grant installing the exhibit at the DCA state office. 2. The Spotlight image can be found right next to the DCA elevators. 3. The new exhibit in DSS state office.

Free Training Opportunity

Join the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network and other community partners for a FREE training session on ways to help identify and prevent child abuse.

Topics include: Introduction to SCVAN and Its Services, Child Abuse Laws and You: Mandated Reporting, What is Human Trafficking?, Stalking and Harassment Myths Debunked, the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, and How Do We Talk About This With Our Kids?

Held in-person at the Orangeburg County Library. Approved for 4.25 hours of VSP and LE credit.