Foster Care Review Division
The Advocate
PARTNERS EDITION
Issue 24 | december 2022
A Message from
the State Child Advocate
Amanda F. Whittle, JD, CWLS
I am grateful to share with you the December 2022 edition of the Department of Children's Advocacy's newsletter.
Another year has come and gone, and we have so much for which to be thankful, including our growing team and new volunteers for the GAL program.
Foster Care Review and Continuum of Care both had staff retreats this month where they learned new skills and focused on improving services to our citizens in the year ahead.
And we also had a little fun before the holidays with our agency-wide door decorating contest. We have posted the winners below and you won't believe the creativity on display!
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.
Movers and Shakers
Help us welcome the newest members of our team and congratulate those who have been promoted.
Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem
Program Coordinator I - Charleston
Roanna Miller
Roanna Miller started December 2. She is originally from Ohio but has lived in Charleston, South Carolina, for more than six years and has grown to love her community. She has been happily married for more than 18 years and has two teenage children.
Roanna's background is in teaching, and she has participated in mission trips around the world and served as a GAL volunteer. She is thankful to be changing careers from a hairstylist to her passion for making a difference with Children’s Advocacy.
Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem
Program Coordinator I - Horry
Kerah Conti
Kerah Conti started on December 19. She was born and raised in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and enjoys the beach, sunshine and anything outside. She is the mother of two amazing boys and married to her high school sweetheart, Peter.
Kerah is working towards a degree in human services and has years of experience in child welfare and advocacy. She is a former foster parent and adopted her youngest son, Jax. She was also a volunteer GAL for more than a year. Kerah is excited to expand her career and advocate fiercely for the children in Horry County.
Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem
Program Assistant - Clarendon
Valarie D. Hilton
Valarie Hilton started December 19. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kaplan University and has numerous years of experience working with various agencies throughout Clarendon County.
Valarie has a passion for helping others, a commitment to professionalism, and a steadfast drive to make a memorable experience with everyone she encounters. She lends her smile and kind words in and out of the workplace.
Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem
Program Coordinator I - Charleston
Kayley Willoughby
Kayley Willoughby started December 19. Born and raised in Lumberton, North Carolina, she graduated with her Bachelors of Social Work on December 10 from UNC-Pembroke.
Kayley moved to Charleston to join her fiancé, who attends the Citadel. She says her corgi, Buster Brown, is "the cutest" and is more like her child than a dog. In her free time, Kayley enjoys going to the beach, taking walks with Buster, trying new restaurants, and exploring her new city. She is excited to be a part of the GAL team and pursuing her dream of working with children.
Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem
Program Coordinator II - Marlboro
Shannon Wilder
Congratulations to Shannon Wilder, who was promoted on January 3 to Program Coordinator II for the Guardian ad Litem’s Marlboro County office. Shannon graduated from Florence-Darlington Tech with an Associates in Paralegal Studies. She had served the Darlington County GAL office since May 2013.
Shannon is a very family-oriented person and the mother to Tyler (28) and Allison (24), and Gigi to Graeme (3) and Carys (1). Her love of children and passion to protect them is what brought her to the GAL program. Shannon looks forward to serving the people of Marlboro County in her new role.
Continuum of Care
No Off-Season for COC
The Continuum of Care team held its all-star retreat in December, bringing together staff from around the state for a one-day sports-themed training camp to kick off its new family Wraparound goals.
The session allowed team members to participate in a variety of educational and role-playing activities that will help them "provide timely, compassionate and empathetic care to South Carolina families by implementing high-quality and consistent Wraparound practices," said division director Greg Wright.
It's a...
Foster Care Review held a "baby shower"-themed staff retreat on December 8-9, to celebrate the many new staff that have recently joined the team and in anticipation of new changes to the program, including a soon-to-arrive case management system. A special thank you to FCR state board members Mary Long and Andrea McCoy who provided lunch for staff on Dec. 9.
"We worked on our team's core values and did some team building and strategic planning exercises to help everyone be prepared and on the same page as we begin 2023," said division director Lindsey Taylor.
Home Sweet Home
In addition to the Holiday Door Decorating Contest celebrated by the whole agency (see below), Foster Care Review also held a gingerbread house decorating contest.
The winning team was (l to r) Coretta Bush-Etheredge, Ashley Downes, Shenita Hamilton, and Shallia Belton, who made their house into an incredible home and took top prize.
Providing Comfort in a Time of Need
Horry County Board 15C purchased two teddy bears for a 13-year-old child in foster care that has multiple medical diagnoses. The board wanted to do something special for the child after being informed at the last review that the child is now terminally ill. Pictured below are (l to r) Natalie Buffkin, Horry County foster care unit supervisor; board co-chair Candy Woods, and board member Amy Fritt.
Welcome to Our New (and Renewed) GAL Volunteers
Tammy Dargan
Marlboro County
Sworn in Dec. 7, 2022
Jeanette Brown
Orangeburg County
Sworn in Dec. 1, 2022
Tracy Haigler
Orangeburg County
Rededicated on Dec. 1, 2022
Guardian ad Litem
Cheers to Region II GAL Recruiter/Trainer Cassandra Hilton who set up a table and spoke to participants at the Friends of the Metropolitan Children's Advocacy Center's Ugly Holiday Sweater 5K in Columbia on December 10.
The annual 5K raises awareness and funds that benefit the CAC serving the Midlands of South Carolina.
GAL Volunteer Spotlights
Tim Taylor is an excellent Kershaw County GAL volunteer. He is always punctual for court and ready to challenge any recommendation that is not in the child's best interest. He is also very generous with his time and makes himself available for the GAL program whenever he can. Thank you, Tim, for being an asset to the Kershaw County GAL Program.
Kimberly Conner began volunteering as a Kershaw County GAL in 2021. She is highly passionate and strong advocate for the children she serves. Kimberly's recently took the stand in court and her testimony allowed her child’s voice to be clearly communicated. Thank you, Kimberly, for being a part of the Kershaw County Guardian ad Litem Team!
Jean O’Brien has been a GAL for Georgetown County for more than a year. She does this work with her whole heart. She reads every order and notice thoroughly and pays extremely close attention to the things happening in the court room and the family dynamics. She is not afraid to be vocal about what is important, and she is very communicative with her program coordinator. Jean is always willing to go the extra mile or take on complicated cases.
SC Heart Gallery
Meet Liudmila I.
Photo credit: Pam Carroll, 2022
Liudmila I., who likes to go by Miko wants to be an artist. When she is bored she likes to draw and paint.
Her perfect day would be going to the mall with her friends and going to the arcade.
Miko describes herself as having perseverance, being resilient, and being self-aware.
To inquire about adopting Miko, or any of the other Heart Gallery children, visit scheartgallery.sc.gov.
Heart Gallery at Bible Way
On December 18, Bible Way Church of Atlas Road recognized social workers and foster parents for their tireless efforts on behalf of South Carolina's children.
State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle was invited to speak during the church service, and both the Heart Gallery and the Department of Social Services set up tables and spoke with congregants before and after the service.
Thanks to all of those who took the time to advocate for children on this special Sunday.
(l to r) Christina Grant with DSS employees Lakieba Brooks-Leach and Pam Bryant.
ABOVE: Shenita Hamilton and Christina Grant show off the Heart Gallery's exhibit. BELOW: (l to r): Corlette Minor, Grant, Skylar Ackerson, and Hamilton were all on hand to represent the agency.
Holiday Door Decoration Winners
Thank you to all who participated in the inaugural Holiday Door Decorating Contest. We hope you had a great time getting creative as well as seeing your co-workers' clever and unique designs.
Without further adieu, congratulations to our winners:
Overall Team Winners
1st Place
Continuum of Care
Region B
2nd Place
Investigations Unit
3rd Place
Guardian ad Litem
Chester/Fairfield Office
Funniest Team Winners
1st Place
Guardian ad Litem
Lancaster Office
2nd Place
Investigations Unit
3rd Place
Guardian ad Litem
Charleston Office
Most Creative Team Winners
1st Place
Guardian ad Litem
State Office
2nd Place
Continuum of Care
Region B
3rd Place
Guardian ad Litem
Lancaster Office
Overall Individual Winners
1st Place
Christina Grant
Heart Gallery
2nd Place
Eden Everett
Children's Advocacy
3rd Place
Skylar Ackerson
Foster Care Review
Funniest Individual Winners
1st Place
Skylar Ackerson
Foster Care Review
2nd Place
Rob Schaller
Children's Advocacy
3rd Place
Gregory Stephens
Guardian ad Litem
Most Creative Individual Winners
1st Place
Eden Everett
Children's Advocacy
2nd Place
Gregory Stephens
Guardian ad Litem
3rd Place -Tie
Linda Maxie
Guardian ad Litem
3rd Place -Tie
Kaylynn Knight
Foster Care Review
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