Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
March 6, 2018
On the South Carolina Legislative Radar
School Safety Summit Presents Key Opportunity for New Ideas

Gov. Henry McMaster hosted a School Safety Summit in collaboration with the Joint Citizens Committee on Children. Senators Brad Hutto and Katrina Shealy, alongside Representatives Neal Collins, Shannon Erickson, Rita Allison, and Beth Bernstein, were among the panelists. A report by WIS-TV details the meeting.

Rep. Bernstein explained on Twitter it was an important “opportunity to give my perspective as a parent and legislator.”

Children's Advocacy Bill Stalled

Described by Sen. Katrina Shealy as "the most important piece of legislation this session," S.805 would establish an independent office to investigate and report failures of state agencies to serve and protect children. A vote by the Senate was again delayed to this week.

Bills to Watch

H.3701 : Educating relatives about the opportunity to serve as foster parents, as well as clarifying and simplifying the process of such kinship care, passed out of the Senate General Committee with a favorable report. The committee tightened background checks on applicant relatives.


Be There

The Human Services Subcommittee of the Senate General Committee will meet Wednesday, March 7, at 9 a.m. in the Gressette Building, Room 307. Included on the agenda are several proposals to limit access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Federal Roundup
Guide to Family First Prevention Services Act
The Chronicle of Social Change released a comprehensive guide to the Family First Prevention Services Act. Formerly an annual appropriation, the new law offers federal resources to help families in crisis stay together, and it limits federal funds for putting foster youth into congregate care placements, including group homes.
Child Welfare News Across the Nation
Georgia Bill Seeks Shield Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers
Faith-based child welfare providers in Georgia could refuse to educate and support unmarried or LGBTQ persons seeking to foster or adopt children if a bill passed by that state's senate becomes law . The proposal functionally shields child welfare providers from discrimination claims.

In South Carolina, an Upstate foster care provider's religious requirements for families have been defended by Gov. Henry McMaster, but are under review by the state's Department of Social Services. Stories by the Greenville News and WSPA-TV provide more insight into the situation.

Wisconsin Considers Changes to Safety Net Program

Pending changes to social safety net program eligibility in Wisconsin are already being touted as a model for right-of-center lawmakers in other states. Wisconsin will raise the number of required working hours for parents receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) payments, as well as lower income caps on households collecting food stamps or childcare subsidies. The state will also require able-bodied or unemployed recipients of federal housing assistance to undergo drug testing and participate in employability plans.

Lawmakers in a South Carolina Senate subcommittee (see above, "Be There") are already poised to debate similar reforms to SNAP eligibility.
Policy Post is published by Children's Trust of South Carolina.
Children's Trust of South Carolina is the only statewide organization focused on the prevention of child abuse, neglect and injury. The organization trains and educates professionals who work directly with families and also funds, supports and monitors proven prevention programs. Children's Trust is the voice for South Carolina's children and advocates for strong, well-founded policies that positively impact child well-being. Children's Trust is home to Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina, KIDS COUNT South Carolina and Safe Kids South Carolina.