(Columbia) Sept. 19, 2003 - The Department of Social Services is now laying off 104 employees in Columbia.

Mary Smith is an administrative assistant and on tuesday she was told her job would be cut, "I cried because this is my employment. I have friends here. I've been here for a while and I like everyone I work with."

DSS officials say the lay-offs are necessary. Deputy State Director Wendell Price says the agency lost $10 million in state funding this year, "In order for us to deliver the services mandated then what we needed to do is live within the budget we were appropriated."

Price says most of the cuts are administrative, so essential services can be maintained.

DSS employee Beth Williams says the layoffs are expected to take a toll on employees who remain and many will carry a heavier workload to make up for the loss, "It effects my staff and all of us dramatically."

Williams and her team investigate nearly 500 reports of abuse in foster homes monthly. Her team of ten will be reduced to seven, "They'll get more investigations to do themselves since we've loss staff. So the time they'll spend on one investigation will be decreased... It means they'll have to move more quickly on interviews."

Mary does have a part-time job and says she's optimistic, "I'll be okay."

Director Kim Aydlette says the agency tried to protect caseworkers and maintain essential services. The Budget and Control Board ordered agencies to set aside one percent of this year's budget to cover a $22 million deficit from last year and to prepare for a shortfall in the current budget.

Aydlette says DSS has lost $35 million in state dollars and more than 1300 employees in the last three years.

By Nicole Bell
Posted 5:11pm by BrettWitt