SCDSS – Adoption Services
Web address: http://www.state.sc.us/dss/adoption
Street Address: 1535 Confederate Ave. Ext.
PO Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520
Contact information: Phone: General Information 803.898.7601
Office of the State Director 803.898.7360
Constituent Services 803.898.7858
800.768.5700
Mission: The mission of the South Carolina Department of Social Services is to ensure the safety and health of children and adults who cannot protect themselves, and to assist those in need of food assistance and temporary financial assistance while transitioning into employment.
Services Provided
Overview
DSS considers adoptions for children who are unable to return home or be placed with relatives. Adoption services include assessment of children, recruitment of adoptive families and placement of children in adoptive homes. DSS also offers services to birth parents who are considering adoption for their child or children. Post-adoption services exist for adoptive families, adult adoptees and birth families. A large number of children available for adoption are older, black or racially mixed, have physical or emotional handicaps or are members of sibling groups.
Maintains list of certified investigators to complete private home studies and private child placing agencies.
Geographic area covered: Statewide/Regional
Region I (Upstate)864.282.4733
800.868.6595
714 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Suite 300
Greenville, SC 29607
Counties: Anderson, Abbeville, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg / Region II (Midlands)
803.898.9051
888.711.7095
2638 Two Notch Rd., Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29204
Counties: Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, McCormick, Richland, Saluda, Union, York
Region III (Lowcountry)
843.953.9750
800.922.1518
3346 Rivers Ave., Suite F
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Counties: Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg / Region IV (Coastal)
843.661.2495
800.763.6637
181 E. Evans St., Suite 112
Florence, SC 29506
Counties: Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, Williamsburg