SC DSS seeing more SNAP requests, fewer child abuse calls during coronavirus pandemic

During the coronavirus outbreak, South Carolina has seen a decrease in hotline tips about concerns over the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. At the same time, the department that handles those calls has also seen an uptick in requests for food assistance.

But while government and health officials are working to stop the spread of the deadly virus, there have been some consequences.

There has been a slow down in economic activity in recent months, causing more people to file for unemployment throughout the state. Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday called for the closure of all non-essential businesses throughout the state, a move that carry that slow-paced activity into April. The pandemic has caused the closure of schools for part of March and all of April, which could mean more child abuses cases are going unreported.

According to DSS, during the week of March 16 through March 22, the DSS hotline for alleged child abuse or neglect case, or abuse of vulnerable adults, received 1,073 calls. That represented a 25% decrease from a month prior, and a 39% decrease compared to a year ago.

Many of the tips made to the Department of Social Services about the well being of children come from teachers, who are mandated reporters, who see children almost daily in settings outside of their home, said Michael Leach, director of DSS.

With school buildings closed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, teachers aren’t seeing their students in person everyday, which Leach says may attribute to lower call volume.

“The part that worries me, and the folks across the country that do this, you’re not talking about a 2 1/2 month break, you’re talking about a 5 month break or 4 1/2 month break,” Leach said. “We know with unemployment and parental stress ... of having to be a teacher, a coach, a parent, a therapist, there is a lot of stress. and the financial instability that may come along with this situation are risk factors for child abuse and neglect.”

The Department of Education has called on bus drivers and food staff delivering meals to students to keep an eye out for possible signs of abuse.

The education department recently shared on its social media a message from DSS to call its hot line for any possible tips of situations where the well being of a child or vulnerable adult maybe at risk.

Sherry East, the President of the South Carolina Education Association, said anytime there’s an extended break, teachers know some students are in harm’s way or in a situation with a lack of food or support.

“Some kids are not happy about summer or spring break,” she said. “For many kids, school is the happy place.”

East acknowledged it might be more difficult for teachers to spot potential issues during video chats, but said their role doesn’t change.

“Teachers are still mandatory reporters even if they’re picking up something virtually,” East said.

Shirley Vickery, the executive director of instructional support services at Richland 2, said school staff members — including counselors — put together a list of students and families to keep in touch with who might need extra attention while schools were closed.

Those staff members are in contact with students and parents at least one to three times a week to see how their days are going and how the family is doing, Vickery said.

“Usually they will tell you pretty directly what’s happening,” Vickery said.

But while calls to the child abuse hotline are down, the department says people applying for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have increased. Unemployment benefits have also increased in the state.

On Friday alone, SNAP receive 7,000 to 8,000 applications and from Saturday through Monday, DSS received 9,188 SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families online applications.

Normally, the department receives about 700 applications a day.

“We knew as unemployment started to increase ... we were going to see that increase,” Leach said. “We are registering case as quickly as possible.”

In order to help people already receiving benefits, DSS has ensured they will receive the maximum benefits allowed through April, and extended the period needed to recertify their need for benefits.

To report possible cases of abuse of children or vulnerable adults, call 888-227-3487.