Michael Leach Resigns from South Carolina Department of Social Services After Over Five Years of Leadership

Michael Leach Resigns as Director of South Carolina’s Department of Social Services

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a surprising announcement on Tuesday, October 22, Michael Leach, who has been directing the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) for the last five and a half years, revealed his decision to step down. Leach, who was nominated for the director’s position by Governor Henry McMaster back in March 2019, expressed his mixed feelings in a heartfelt resignation letter.

A Grateful Departure

In his message, Leach stated, “Serving in this role for the past five and a half years at the S.C. Department of Social Services has been an incredible honor and privilege.” He reflected on the invaluable experiences he has accumulated and the dedicated team with whom he worked tirelessly. The director expressed pride in the positive influences they brought to South Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens during his time at the helm.

Leach specifically noted the rewarding collaboration he experienced with fellow workers and advocates. “Collaborating with dedicated colleagues and advocates has been inspiring,” he stated. His decision to resign was clearly not an easy one; it came after significant reflection on his role and the challenges faced by the department in recent months.

Achievements Worth Celebrating

One notable achievement during Leach’s tenure was the successful creation of South Carolina’s kinship guardianship program in 2023. This initiative has successfully allowed an increasing number of relatives and close friends to care for children whose legal guardians cannot do so. Statistics highlight this positive change, with the number of children being cared for by relatives jumping from a mere 6% in 2019 to over 27% by 2024. That’s a remarkable improvement that showcases the ongoing efforts towards better support for children in need.

Recent Challenges at DSS

However, not all news has been positive under Leach’s leadership. The DSS has encountered significant challenges, particularly concerning staff safety and operational stability. Just days before his resignation, some DSS workers stationed at an office on Two Notch Road in Columbia opted to walk off the job after a disturbing incident. Teenagers temporarily housed at the site overnight got into a tumultuous fight, leading to vandalism in the office.

Employees expressed fears for their safety, mentioning that while they accepted working with troubled youth as part of the job, they were growing increasingly concerned about the potential risks of serious injury or worse. As a result, these incidents have cast a shadow over the progress made at the DSS and have raised critical questions about employee protection and operational procedures moving forward.

Looking to the Future

As Michael Leach prepares for his last day on the job, set for January 2, 2025, there remains a sense of hope among many that the department will continue to build upon the foundations established during his tenure. With the ongoing challenges in mind, it’s clear that the next director will be stepping into a role filled with both opportunities for impact and pressing challenges that won’t be easily ignored.

The community will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on how the Department of Social Services evolves following Leach’s departure. His leadership may have reached an end, but the work continues in supporting South Carolina’s most vulnerable residents—a testament to the ongoing commitment of all who work within this essential structure of care.