No place for bias in the work of DSS, says its director

The director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Michael Leach, would like South Carolinians to embrace the perspective that poverty alone does not equate to neglect.  That is the attitude being adopted at the state agency level in recognition that even staff members are not immune to the challenges posed by racial bias.  Leach says, “We acknowledge that there are times when families we serve enter our system as a result of bias, and lack of access to resources.  We also recognize that we cannot achieve our agency mission to promote the safety, permanency and well-being of children, youth, families and vulnerable adults, without consulting these issues head on.”