The Center for Child and Family Studies and the South Carolina Department of Social Services are expanding their training partnership, which has existed for nearly two decades. This bold expansion allows CCFS and DSS to utilize more effectively their respective areas of expertise and economic resources. The vision is for the organizational relationship to be a true partnership where DSS’s programmatic expertise is coupled with USC’s expertise in training and best practices allowing for the creation of a state-of-the-art learning environment.
With this expansion, the USC College of Social Work, in partnership with SCDSS, assumes responsibility for training in the areas of professional development and leadership. Previously the College, through its Center for Child and Family Studies, has provided ongoing training to DSS personnel statewide. Effective July 1, 2010, the College under SCDSS guidance will be responsible for pre-service training as well as ongoing training in child welfare, adult services and economic assistance.

Specifically, USC’s role in the partnership includes the following: Develop and deliver training and professional development opportunities that maximize the professional capacities of DSS staff; explore effective modalities for delivery of services, which represent the most efficient use of public resources; and evaluate expected outcomes of partnership activities to ensure continued progress.

As Director Hayes summed up, "The combination of pre-service training, ongoing training and the Professional Development Consortium leverages the strengths of higher education in meeting the needs of DSS for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.” Dean Poole concluded, “This represents a prime example of the University’s mission and goal of active engagement with its community.”