Six new rooms at Charleston County DSS offer comfort to children in foster care

The Charleston County Department of Social Services (DSS) has added six newly transformed rooms to provide a more comfortable and welcoming space for children entering foster care, WCBD reported. The nonprofit Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land partnered with DSS for this project, which is their largest to date.

According to Live 5 WCSC, the rooms include an infant nursery, toddler room, elementary room, teen lounge, a signature Lily Pad room, and a family dining room where parents and children can share meals during visits. These spaces feature soft lighting, weighted blankets, sensory toys, comfortable furnishings, sleeping accommodations, and age-appropriate activities such as LEGO DUPLO walls for toddlers and older children.

DSS State Director Tony Catone explained that children may spend time in the DSS office while caseworkers find foster placements. He emphasized the importance of creating a warm and inviting environment to help children feel a sense of belonging during this difficult process.

The rooms are also used for family visits, including meals in the dining room, supporting family connections. Catone highlighted the community's role in supporting these efforts, stating that government services cannot do this work alone.