Sumter County DSS Office

Inside the Sumter County DSS Transformation

• Sumter County is located in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region and is home to the city of Sumter and borders Richland County. This installation continues Lily Pad’s growth across the region, following recent projects in neighboring counties.

• Our team first connected with the Sumter County office at the beginning of 2025. They were excited to receive a Lily Pad, but had plans to move to a new building the following year. We stayed in close communication and made plans to complete their Lily Pad in 2026. As plans came together they sent us photos documenting the progress and timing of the new office building and we scheduled the installation for August. We’re so grateful for their collaboration with us!

• In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, our team transformed two spaces inside the Sumter County DSS office: a main Lily Pad room and a visitation room.

• Each room was designed to feel warmer, calmer, and more like home for children and families spending time at the office. Volunteers joined us August 28 and 29 to complete the transformation.

• The rooms include many of the trauma-informed features used throughout Lily Pad spaces, including comfortable furnishings, washable rugs, sensory supports, books, coloring supplies, soft lighting, electronics, and interactive activities. While the rooms were painted by the county during the construction process, we added painted arches on the walls to bring some color and architectural interest to the spaces.

• The Lily Pad room includes a pull-out sofa bed, sensory items, electronics, books, and a custom chalkboard wall house. Together, these elements give children experiencing foster care a comfortable place to rest, play, and decompress during difficult transitions.

• The visitation room gives families a welcoming setting to spend time together. Comfortable furnishings, games, and a LEGO activity wall encourage connection while helping the room feel less like a government office and more like a living room.

• Like every Lily Pad, these rooms were created to provide dignity, comfort, and care during moments of uncertainty. Bibles and Scripture artwork throughout the rooms offer truth and encouragement to the children, families, and DSS professionals who use them.