Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In South Carolina, foster care is managed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). This service is intended for children who are unable to safely live with their families due to abuse, neglect, or other serious family issues. Foster care is considered a temporary arrangement until a permanent living situation can be established, whether that be reunification with the child's family, adoption, or another permanent living arrangement. Children in foster care may be placed with relatives, known as kinship care, or with state-approved foster parents. There are also various types of foster care settings in South Carolina, including group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The state's goal is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children in foster care while working towards a more permanent solution for their care.