Charleston County DSS Office

Inside the Charleston County DSS Transformation

• Charleston County is located along South Carolina's southeastern coast and is home to the historic city of Charleston.

• This installation marks Lily Pad's largest project to date, transforming six rooms within a single DSS office in North Charleston.

• In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, we built on the office's existing approach of using separate rooms for children of different ages and needs. This gave us the opportunity to create six distinct, trauma-informed spaces.

• Throughout the rooms, we incorporated trauma-informed features such as soft lighting, weighted blankets, sensory toys, comfortable furnishings, and sleeping accommodations. A previously donated College of Charleston jersey was included, adding a special connection to the local community, while subtle coast touches in each room offered a nod to the surrounding beach town. Bibles and Scripture artwork throughout the rooms offer truth and encouragement to the children, families, and DSS professionals who use them.

• Like every Lily Pad, these rooms were created to provide dignity, comfort, and care during moments of uncertainty. Each room was thoughtfully designed for the children who will use it:

  • Main Lily Pad Room: A familiar, living room-style space with an activity wall, pull-out sofa bed, soft lighting, along with toys and games where children of all ages can rest and decompress.

  • Infant Room: A crib, two rocking chairs, changing table, and fold-out bed provide a comfortable space giving care givers the tools to care for the littlest ones.

  • Toddler Room: A LEGO DUPLO wall, playhouse, kitchen and whimsical décor create a space that encourages creativity, play and exploration.

  • Elementary Room: Comfortable furnishings, a playhouse that doubles as a mini bed, and LEGO and chalkboard walls, offer a welcoming place for children to spark imagination, play and relax.

  • Teen Room: Designed around the space’s existing air hockey table, the room features wipeable bean bag seating, books centered on teens interests, chalkboard and LEGO walls and a TV and gaming system give older youth all of the standard Lily Pad items in a teenage version for them while they’re spending time in the office.

  • Dining & Celebration Room: A cheery space for meals and celebrations big and small with a refrigerator and storage for food and dining supplies. A wall featuring a variety of games encourages connection and friendly competition.

• This project is a wonderful example of a successful partnership between government, nonprofits, and the community.

• Charleston County maintenance staff, led by Brandon Comps, completed extensive preparation before our team arrived. They coordinated material deliveries, painted all six rooms, installed additional electrical outlets, and replaced carpet tiles with durable, easy-to-clean luxury vinyl plank flooring.

• Volunteers from Modern Woodmen of America, traveling from across North Carolina and South Carolina, joined our team for the installation, with additional support from City Life Church. We are especially grateful to the Darrel and Alicia Jackson Foundation and Modern Woodmen of America for their financial support, Sherwin-Williams for donating 20 gallons of paint, and Charleston County staff for their partnership.