BS degree in History from Erskine College and Law Degree from the University of South Carolina
Retired and Consultant as a teacher for the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the USC Children’s Law Office on Child Abuse
She has been the founder and owner of Catherine Williams and Associates LLC since February 2017. The business includes contracts with nonprofits and state agencies (South Carolina Department of Social Services and University of South Carolina Children’s Law Center) for teaching and consultant services for child welfare (foster/adoptive parents and independent living services) and elderly services. The consulting business includes policy development, training, executive leadership development and creating continuous quality assurance process to monitor performance indicators.
Ms. Williams has testified before Congressional committees and the South Carolina General Assembly on a variety of human services , specifically domestic violence, adult protective services, and child abuse.
Work Experience
She was appointed in December 2011 as Director of Agency Performance for the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency having served in that role for eight years.
Ms. Williams developed and was the Director of the Office of Program Improvement for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The office provided oversight and management of all federal child welfare programs, federal government liaison and management of adult protective services. She served as the Director of Program Improvement for over four years.
Ms. Williams served as Director of Human Services for the South Carolina Department of Social Services for over seven years, which includes oversight and management of the child welfare and adult services program. She previously served the agency as the Legislative Liaison. She was previously a member of the Office of General Counsel staff.
Ms. Williams was employed as the Senior Resource Attorney for the Children’s Law Center of the University Of South Carolina School of Law and served as Co-Director for the South Carolina Legal Services Association.
Professional Activities
She served as President of the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA) of the American Public Human Services for six years. She is a member of the Children’s Committee for the South Carolina Bar Association and served as Chairperson for two years. She has served as a volunteer domestic violence attorney and volunteer Guardian ad Litem for children in child maltreatment cases for over 10 years. She served as a member of SC Bench-Bar Committee on Child Welfare. She served on the District of Columbia Mayor’s Office Truancy Task Force and SC Governor’s Domestic Violence Task Force.
Articles and Publications
She has authored several articles for the South Carolina Bar Association regarding child maltreatment and domestic violence. She has written several publications on domestic violence to include The Link Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and Neglect and the Columbia Urban League State of Black SC on the racial disparities for juveniles.
Awards
The South Carolina Governor appointed Ms. Williams to spearhead the Independent Living Policy Academy for the National Governor’s Association. The agency received recognition from the White House for adoption achievements during Ms. Williams’ tenure.
Ms. Williams is the recipient of a South Carolina General Assembly Resolution honoring her years of public service in child welfare. The resolution was passed by all members of the House of Representative and signed by the Speaker of the House.
Educational Background
Ms. Williams is a graduate of Erskine College. She graduated from the University Of South Carolina School of Law. Ms. Williams was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 1984.
