Local review boards help identify gaps in available services to children and families and strive to promote community awareness about these concerns in an effort to strengthen the system for South Carolina children and families.
Local review boards meet one day per month to review cases. Meetings are conducted either virtually or at the Department of Social Services (DSS) offices in the assigned counties of their judicial circuit.
After each review, the local board issues a recommendation that addresses what they have determined to be the best permanent plan for the child. This information is filed with the Family Court and sent to DSS and the Guardian ad Litem. Additionally, review board members evaluate the state of foster care in South Carolina, make recommendations to the governor and General Assembly, and are actively involved in legislative matters involving child welfare issues.
A professional staff person from the Division of Foster Care Review coordinates the monthly review meetings of each local board and provides technical assistance to board members.
Each local review board is composed of five community volunteers who are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of their legislative delegation.
There are currently 43 local review boards across the state, with at least one in each of South Carolina's 16 judicial circuits. Board members must be residents of the judicial circuit they represent.
Learn more about becoming a prospective board member, including current board vacancies and the nomination process.