Laurens Co. partners work together for positive results!


In the fall of 2009, Laurens County DSS entered into two partnerships in an effort to expand and improve services to DSS clients. In October, DSS entered collaboration with Thornwell Home for Children to address the needs of children in foster care as well as the needs of their parents. In November, DSS entered into an agreement with Laurens County Adult Education to offer services to clients in the Family Independence program.


Laurens County DSS and Laurens County Adult Education, located at Piedmont Technical College, have come together to provide Family Independence clients an opportunity to further their education and learn job skills. Laurens County Adult Education has agreed to provide access to the Adult Education GED preparation and Workkeys programs for qualified DSS clients. Students recommended by DSS will not have to pay the usual $40 registration fee and will be allowed to test for the


Workkeys certificate without charge. Laurens County Adult Education is also providing instructional and testing materials free of charge. Laurens County Adult Education will help DSS clients set educational goals and monitor their progress.


Thornwell Home for Children is working with Laurens County DSS to quickly place foster children who qualify for their program. Thornwell is also providing staff to conduct six week, three hour, parenting classes for Laurens County DSS clients for $10 per person per class. Class topics consist of stress management, keeping children safe from abuse and neglect, discipline, avoiding power struggles, training self control, organizing family meetings, goal setting, and corrections through logical consequences. The classes are based on the Teaching Family model, a nationally accredited program for working with troubled children and families. Thornwell is providing DSS with weekly progress reports on clients’ progress and abilities.


Article reprinted from SCDSS February Newsletter
SC Department of Social Services (http://www.imakenews.com/scdss/e_article001670718.cfm?x=bgCylhl,bbVMcMdh)
Published by Ruth Kirkland
Copyright © 2010 SC Department of Social Services. All rights reserved.
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Article from SC Department of Social Services


*Pictured are Nicole Templeton with the Thornwell Home for Children and Pam Pulley, Treatment Supervisor for Laurens County DSS.