From LOCAL REPORTS

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) is providing child care vouchers for women living in a shelter to escape domestic violence situations.

Victims for whom reunification of the family is not an option often cite child care as a barrier to achieving independence, and under the Domestic Violence Child Care program, families will receive child care vouchers for one year.

"This program will allow DSS to strengthen our relationship with local domestic violence shelters and other responding agencies and help families maximize all the resources DSS has to offer," DSS Director Kim Aydlette said.

Vouchers became available Aug. 1.

Laura Hudson of the South Carolina Victims Assistance Network (SCAN) praised the DSS effort. "SCVAN is very supportive of this new initiative. Obviously, it will give women more choices, and when you give women more choices they are safer and have a better quality of life," she said.

Vicki Bourus of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault also supports the effort. "Having access to quality child care is a critical factor in battered women's process of recovery. This exceptional benefit fills that critical need."

Shelter staff will screen each family to determine its eligibility for this program, as well as other existing programs such as welfare and food stamps. All parents receiving vouchers must either work, attend school or be enrolled in a training program. Those who are unemployed may also qualify as they attend therapy and prepare for work.

Victims of domestic violence will receive priority for vouchers beyond the one-year time period if funding is available. The family income must be below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines.

There are an estimated 1,772 children under age 13 in domestic violence shelters.

Aydlette said, "It's not only laws that help protect victims of domestic violence; economic and social supports must be in place to allow individuals the option to leave their abuser."