Last month, we shared how our agency has turned five, ​and we are happy to share the Foster Care Review ​Division’s 50th birthday this month! That’s 50 years of ​advocating for children in foster care. We couldn’t be ​more excited that Governor Henry McMaster joined us to ​celebrate with a ceremony in the rotunda of the State ​House.

But we also know that there is still much more to do, ​including filling the vacancies on review boards across ​the state. We highlight how some board members are ​helping fill the void of those vacancies in the meantime.

And our Guardian ad Litem division has covered the state ​and been active at numerous community events where ​they, too, are working diligently to raise awareness about ​the need for more volunteer GALs.

I also had the opportunity to attend the Continuum of ​Care annual day of training, featuring an immersive ​theme that not only kept staff entertained, but engaged ​them in unique ways and made the day truly effective.

Thank for reading the July edition of the Advocate, and ​as always, we invite you to share your thoughts and ​comments with us.

Melissa Dendy began as Greenwood/Abbeville ​County Director on July 2, after joining the GAL ​program as a program coordinator in July 2022. ​Previously, she worked as an administrative ​assistant at Piedmont Technical College, as well as ​a substance abuse counselor and educational and ​administrative assistant at Leath Correctional ​Institution. Her leadership at Leath significantly ​impacted inmates' ability to obtaining their GED and ​other certifications.

Melissa graduated cum laude with her bachelor's in ​criminal justice from Walden University. Her ​commitment to continuous learning and ​professional development has been a cornerstone ​of her career.

With a vision for a brighter future for the ​community, Melissa is committed to making a ​difference in her community and surrounding ​counties. She looks forward to continuing her work ​at Children’s Advocacy and making a lasting impact ​on those she serves.

Tymesha Watts started on May 17. Previously, she ​worked as a foster care case manager with DSS in ​Lexington County for more than four years. She ​earned her bachelor's in social work with a minor in ​criminal justice in 2018 and her master's in social ​work in 2019 from Winthrop University.

Tymesha is a native of Fairfield County, so she is a ​country girl at heart. She is wife and mother to a ​one-year-old daughter and a dog (yorkie and ​schnauzer mix). In her free time, she enjoys being ​with her family, attending concerts, traveling, and ​shopping.

Congratulations!

The Department of Children’s Advocacy congratulates the following employees ​who have been accepted into professional development programs:

Joy Manning

2025 HR Professional ​Development Program

Melissa Petinato-Irby

Associate Public Manager ​Cohort 2025

Latika Smith

2025 HR Professional ​Development Program

Emilie Wheatley

Lead SC 2025

Foster Care Review Celebrates 50 Years!

Photo credit: Kinard Lisbon, Governor’s Office

On July 11, the Foster Care Review Division and ​Foster Care Review Board celebrated 50 years of ​advocacy and removing barriers to permanency ​for children in foster care with a special ceremony ​held at the State House.

During the ceremony, Governor Henry McMaster ​proclaimed July 8-12 as Foster Care Review Week ​in South Carolina.

In 1974, South Carolina became the first state in ​the nation to create a system of citizen review, and

for 50 years, FCRB has been advocating for permanency and ​providing external accountability for children in foster care.

In just one year (FY23), the 43 local review boards evaluated the ​cases of 3,233 children, and Director Lindsey Taylor noted that ​board members average at least 10,000 hours of service each ​year, with some years exceeding 15,000 hours!

All of that adds up to an improved foster care system for abused ​and neglected children!

Time to Celebrate

A reception was held immediately afterwards for all ​current and past board members and staff who ​were in attendance for the ceremony.

Along with cake and punch, the reception included ​recognition for some of our longest serving board ​and staff members.

Thanks to all of the hard work and dedication of our ​volunteer board members and our staff. We ​couldn’t do this important work without you!

John Seignious

Longest Serving Board ​Member (31 Years)

Doretta Crosson-Irby and Heather Valentine

are tied as the 2nd Longest Serving Staff Members (16 Years)

“The journey doesn’t stop here...”

During her remarks at the State House, ​Andrea McCoy, chair of the Foster Care ​Review State Board of Directors, ​encouraged more citizens to get involved:

“The journey doesn’t stop ​here, especially for those of ​us that serve. There is still ​so much more to do. But we ​need your support across ​the state.”

To wit, all five seats ​on Richland County ​Foster Care Review ​Board 05B are ​currently vacant.

To ensure children ​continue to receive ​timely reviews, ​dedicated board ​members from other ​boards have been ​filling in.

During the June Richland County 05B review meeting, substitute board members (pictured above) included John ​Seignious (9A - Charleston - top left), Jane Daniel (13C - Spartanburg - bottom left), and Lethea Parker (13E - ​Pickens - bottom middle). Also pictured are Sade Ransom and Jana Franklin (top and bottom right) from Lee County ​DSS. FCRD's own Nina Spinelli is in the bottom right corner.

We are so thankful to these and the many other board members who pull double-duty and fill in for other boards.

There are currently 73 board vacancies across the state. If you know someone who would be interested in ​volunteering as a board member, please direct them to fcrd.sc.gov/volunteer/prospective.

FCRD Holds “Technology Day”

On July 12, FCRD staff held an in-person drop-in event to help board members who were having issues ​logging into online meetings or accessing materials for the reviews. Board members brought their electronic ​devices, so staff could work with them and troubleshoot any issues.

Board members all said the event was very helpful and will help make future reviews go more smoothly.

Thanks to our dedicated staff who were on-hand to help out!

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Taking inspiration from Lewis Carroll's novel "Alice ​Through the Looking Glass," COC held its annual ​daylong training conference this past May, where staff ​gained new skills in identifying strengths and underlying ​needs, worked on crisis planning, and explored other ​ways of handling their clients' mental health needs.

"'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"

- Alice

During the training, many staff were also recognized, some with whimsical superlatives and others for seriously ​wonderful work, including three “Best Practice Awards” for excellence in client care:

BEST PRACTICE AWARDS:

Lenora Scurry had the highest percentage of child and family team meetings held within the 30-day High Fidelity ​Wraparound standard. Shontell Scipio, Travis Gaskins-Smith, and Linda Williams each had 100% of their ​service notes entered within seven days. The Upstate and Lowcountry Regional Offices tied for the highest ​percent of youth remaining in their communities (87%) while COC partnered with the youth and family.

Region B (Upstate) staff

Region D (Lowcountry) staff

Certificates of appreciation

for regularly attending Wraparound Wednesday, staying engaged, and being willing to contribute to the conversation.

superlatives

Finally, in appreciation for their incredible leadership on behalf of their staff and advocacy for the children of South ​Carolina, both DCA Director Amanda Whittle and COC Division Director Greg Wright were honored during the ​ceremony. Fun Fact: Each knew about the other’s award, but was surprised to receive their own!

Wright received the STUD Award (Strengths perspective, Team process, Underlying needs, Determined by families), ​and Whittle received the Four Key Elements of Wraparound Award.

Raising Awareness Across the State

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, Guardian ad Litem staff and volunteers have been active in their communities ​and raising awareness about the GAL program and the need for more volunteers! Thanks so much for all you do!

Pee Dee Regional Recruiter/Trainer Brandi ​Johnson attended "Chester Live After 5" ​with Chester/Fairfield County Director ​Estelle Stevenson on June 7.

Johnson also crossed the finish line in style ​at the Marion County Library Fun Run on ​June 8.

Johnson joined Dillon County staff ​member Cassidy Villano (left) and Christy ​Vinson, state recruiter/training director, ​for a presentation to the Dillon County ​Rotary Club on June 19.

Kershaw County volunteer GAL Holly Smith (left) and staff member Haveonna Greene joined Christy Vinson and her children ​Emma and Harper to hand out free school supplies during the Sandhills Medical Foundation's Back to School Bash on July 13.

Lowcountry Regional Recruiter/Trainer David McAlhaney, and ​Berkeley County Director Elizabeth Bryant were found at the ​Moncks Corner Farmers Market on June 6.

McAlhaney, Connie Legare, Pee Dee/Lowcountry Quality ​Assurance (left), and Colleton County Director Shateque Hacker ​joined the Colleton County Juneteenth Celebration on June 15.

Upstate Regional Recruiter/Trainer Erin Petrella (right) and ​Greenwood County staff members Melissa Dendy (left) and ​Ariel Wingard met up with the Greenwood Promise Owl at the ​Greenwood Festival of Flowers on June 8.

Petrella also traveled to Cherokee County to join County ​Director Melissa Parker for the City of Gaffney’s Tribute to ​Disco on June 22.

GAL Volunteer Spotlights

Elizabeth Neely

Spartanburg County

Elizabeth Neely, affectionately known as “Missy,” has made a huge impact on the families ​she has served over the past two years as a volunteer GAL. Missy is known for tackling the ​tough cases with a desire to help families find the necessary resources they need, as well as ​connect with the children she serves in a fun and personable manner. More specifically, ​Missy has a passion for working with special needs children and uses her community ​connections to help children in her cases receive medical and mental health services that ​were previously inaccessible. We are grateful for her hard work, dedication and passion to ​seeing her children thrive!

Scott Bowser

Edgefield & aiken Counties

Scott Bowser goes above and beyond to advocate for our youth. He keeps in contact with ​the children in his cases to truly advocate for them and ensure that their best interests are ​always heard. In 2022, we highlighted Scott's work with Fostering the Family to meet the ​needs of foster families in his area. We are grateful to have him as a part of our team. ​Thanks, Scott, for all your hard work!

Meet Jeremiah B.

Photo credit: Kyra Spivey, 2024

Jeremiah B. (born in 2009) is a very social child who ​loves team sports, especially playing wide receiver. His ​favorite sports star is Mike Evans. His favorite class is ​science because he enjoys working with chemicals. He ​likes rap music, Marvel books, and enjoys scary ​movies, but his favorite film is Black Panther.

Jeremiah describes himself as reliable, respectful, ​adventurous, fashionable, and trustworthy. His favorite ​foods are chicken from Chick-fil-A, ribs, oranges, ​grapes, carrots, and mangos. He could see himself ​doing a lot of different things when he gets older but ​has an interest in becoming a SWAT team member, ​working for the FBI, or possibly joining the Air Force to ​become an engineer.

Jeremiah’s ideal forever home would be an active ​family with other children and dogs. Adoption is ​important to him because he wants a family that cares ​and is supportive.

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

How to Recognize and Report Human Trafficking

Webinar on Tuesday, July 30, from 12-1 p.m. EST

In recognition of “World Day Against ​Trafficking in Persons” on July 30, the ​U.S. Department of Homeland ​Security’s Blue Campaign invites the ​public to attend a webinar on how to best ​recognize and report potential cases of ​human trafficking.

Hear from Blue Campaign leaders as they ​discuss what human trafficking is; ​common myths and misconceptions; ​indicators of potential human trafficking ​situations; and resources to spread ​awareness.

Lunch Is Served...

Courtesy of Richland County Public Library Through August 11

Summer can be a tough time for some ​families to provide healthy meals.

The Richland County Library is offering ​free meals for all children this summer ​through their Summer Break Café ​program. This means kids can get healthy ​meals for free while school is out. This ​program helps families make sure their ​kids get healthy meals during the ​summer. No need to sign up!