South Carolina DSS Director Michael Leach Resigns

Michael Leach, the director of South Carolina's Department of Social Services (DSS), is resigning after over five years in the position, effective January 2, 2025. Leach highlighted his tenure as fulfilling and impactful, particularly in improving foster care systems and increasing the percentage of licensed kinship caregivers from 6% to over 27%. Under his leadership, the state set a record with 645 public adoptions in 2023, totaling 2,572 since 2019. Governor Henry McMaster praised Leach for his exemplary leadership, stating that the agency is now more effective than when he took over. Leach's resignation comes amid ongoing challenges within the agency, including recent employee walkouts due to safety concerns. The governor's office will announce further details regarding the agency's leadership transition in the near future.