Susan Alford confirmed as South Carolina's next child-welfare chief
The state's embattled child-welfare agency has a new boss -- one lawmakers expect to make great improvements in coming years.
The S.C. Senate voted 35-0 to confirm Susan Alford as the S.C. Department of Social Services' new director.
Gov. Nikki Haley nominated Alford of Irmo to fill the vacancy in the cabinet post left when former Director Lillian Koller resigned amid ongoing questions about high turnover, heavy caseloads and children dying while under Social Services watch.
Alford has more than 30 years experience in state government and working with at-risk youth, including stints at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Alford most recently worked at the Girls Center, a Clemson nonprofit specializing in programs for at-risk girls to help them avoid abuse, jail and the cycle of poverty.
The Senate voted to confirm Alford after briefly entering into executive session, which is closed to the public.
During the confirmation process, Alford reassured lawmakers that she is up to the task of bringing reforms to the agency, lowering child-welfare caseloads and turnover, and tackling other agency problems including an unfinished child-support enforcement system that has cost the state millions in fines.
“Protecting our most vulnerable citizens - children - is our most important mission, and Susan Alford, who has spent her entire career as a child advocate helping families in need, understands that," said Chaney Adams, Haley's press secretary. "Susan Alford is passionate about the children she serves, she understands what it means to lead and motivate, and we're glad she's on the job."
Read more about Susan Alford:
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This story was originally published February 12, 2015 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Susan Alford confirmed as South Carolina's next child-welfare chief."