Maurice Leverne Huggins

Questions Answered by a DSS Assessment

United States Navy veteran Maurice Leverne Huggins regularly volunteers with political events, and held the position of assistant campaign manager for the 2016 South Carolina sheriff’s race. Maurice Leverne Huggins currently serves as a case manager and human services specialist for the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), where he helps families and children live safely by completing assessments of abuse and neglect.

The DSS plays a critical role in South Carolina’s public safety system by administering programs that strengthen families and protect vulnerable children and adults. In addition to operating food stamp and assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF, and workforce development, the DSS operates child support and foster parent programs while also investigating child abuse and neglect cases.

When investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, DSS investigators work to gather all available information in order to answer three core questions. First, are there worries about the child’s safety, and if so what are they? Second, does the family in question have a history of keeping children safe? Lastly, what needs to occur in order to keep the child safe?

Together, these questions help an investigator determine whether a report of abuse meets the state’s statutory definition of child abuse and/or neglect.

Posted bymauricelevernehugginsAugust 12, 2020Posted inSocial WorkerTags: DSS AssessmentLeave a comment on Questions Answered by a DSS Assessment

What is a Child Welfare Certificate for Social Workers?

A graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, Maurice Leverne Huggins earned basic law enforcement certification and child welfare certification while earning a degree in sociology. Currently serving as a case manager and human services specialist with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Maurice Leverne Huggins uses her training to help clients develop treatment plans and access needed resources.

A child welfare certificate lays a strong foundation for social work majors who want to specialize in youth protective services. A credential that represents knowledge in the area of preventing and addressing child maltreatment, the child welfare certificate shows that the bearer has the requisite knowledge to help at-risk children, adolescents, and their families access needed treatment and services.

Social workers who work in child welfare often manage large work loads that include investigating cases of physical, verbal, and/or sexual abuse of children, as well as neglect and substance abuse problems. Most child welfare certificate programs prepare students for this work with at least 15 to 25 credit hours in child welfare classes, which cover topics such as childhood development, family dynamics, neglect assessments, and strengths-based case management.