Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) will receive a $350,000 grant to support programs that assist victims of domestic violence.
South Carolina DSS will implement the following activities under this grant:
- Enhance the safety of women and children in the child welfare system by increasing protection through an interagency protocol and a county coordinating council;
- Enhance access to services and resources for women and children in the child welfare system who have been exposed to domestic violence;
- Provide cross-training on domestic violence and its effects, agency roles, use of the interagency protocol and creative solutions;
- Provide direct services to children who witness domestic violence including support groups, education, counseling, and transition support services;
- Contract with the 4-H Program to provide weekend camping retreats for child witnesses, and;
- Develop response teams to identify and assess cases involving domestic violence and child maltreatment.
“Domestic violence is a devastating crime that not only brings physical harm, but also destroys families,” said Graham, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Corrections and Victims’ Rights. “We must punish domestic violence offenders, and offer support to the victims.”
DSS will be the lead agency for this project and will partner with The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Clemson University’s 4-H Program, Family Court, and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.
The grant was awarded by U.S. Department of Justice.
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