Do you Know South Carolina’s State Child Advocate? Meet Amanda Whittle

As the state’s first top child advocate, Amanda Whittle also serves as the director of a state agency called the S.C. Department of Children’s Advocacy. Only in existence since 2019, Director Whittle has brought to life the vision of an independent agency that examines the system of care and services that other state agencies provide to children.

It is an incredible story of the difference one can make when collaborating with one's heart and smarts! Director Whittle is the first person to tell you that she can only do the work of the state advocate because she has a team of dedicated and talented people on her team. As she has leaned into this position, we are proud she is at work for all the children and families in South Carolina.

Here’re five things to know about her:

  1. Heart of the (legal) matter. Director Whittle is an attorney – and a smart one. With many laws and policies in place, the state advocate has to know and understand the legal ins and outs of the system, which is why the statute requires the advocate to be a lawyer. Amanda graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina at Aiken. She earned her law degree from the University of South Carolina.
  2. Hands-on experience. Director Whittle was in private practice specializing in family law before moving to the S.C. Department of Social Services, where she was a trial attorney and circuit coordinator and rose to assistant general counsel.
  3. Master collaborator. Director Whittle serves on at least a dozen state-level committees and councils and coordinates care for another dozen state agencies.
  4. Energy for days. From the ground up, Director Whittle has built and staffed a fantastic team at the S.C. Department of Children’s Advocacy with multiple divisions, 200 professionals and 1500 volunteers. She regularly speaks and trains others on child-related legal and practice issues.
  5. Passion + personality + purpose. Director Whittle is a triple threat -- an infectious personality driven by a true passion for helping our most vulnerable youth grow and thrive. Have one conversation with her, and you will see and feel the force that she is for kids in our state.


Want to know more about the Office of Child Advocate? Check out it’s story.

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