Eden Hendrick was officially confirmed as Executive Director by the SC Senate on May 11, 2022.
"In her short time with the agency, Ms. Hendrick has demonstrated that she is precisely the right person to lead DJJ at this time,” said Governor Henry McMaster. "Her unique experience has allowed her to quickly identify challenges the agency faces and – most importantly – immediately begin making necessary changes to overcome each one. Under her leadership, DJJ will continue to improve."
As Executive Director, Hendrick has focused her efforts on employee retention and recruitment, facility upgrades, and increased mental health services for DJJ youth.
"Reforming DJJ will be a complicated and difficult process that will take time, but I am optimistic and inspired by the change that has occurred in the [short time] I have been there and I'm confident this trend will continue," said Director Hendrick. "I am grateful to the governor for giving me the opportunity to permanently lead the agency."
Before joining DJJ, Hendrick served as Assistant General Counsel at the SC Department of Administration. She also served as a prosecutor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, specializing in family court matters. As the solicitor’s office’s team leader over its family court division, she supervised a team of support staff, victim advocates, junior attorneys, law clerks, two diversion programs, and two diversion courts.
Hendrick graduated with honors from the University of Georgia in 2002 prior to receiving a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2005. She is the recipient of the 2016 Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Prosecution in Family Court and was previously a member of the Children’s Justice Act Task Force.
Hendrick is married with two children and is a resident of Richland County.