Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
Jan. 24, 2018
On the South Carolina Legislative Radar
Inclement Weather Leads to Cancellations
Due to inclement weather in the state, the House and Senate canceled the session and most meetings Jan. 17-18. Gov. Henry McMaster postponed his State of the State address, which now will be delivered today at 7 p.m.

In the News

A story in the Statehouse Report details how two state senators are proposing the creation of a new agency to serve as a child advocacy watchdog.

Bills to Watch

S.805 : Department of Children’s Advocacy, rescheduled for today at 3 p.m., of Children’s Affairs Subcommittee

S.794 , and similar S.795 : Department of Children's Services, also bumped to today, meeting of Children’s Affairs subcommittee

H.4494 : Regionally limited tax credits to reduce rural/urban health care disparities, sent to Ways and Means

Be There

The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children , which researches issues regarding the children of South Carolina and offers policy and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature, meets Thursday at 9 a.m. in Gressette Building, room 209.
Federal Roundup
Support Still Needed Home Visiting Reauthorization
The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program was not included in the latest short-term spending measure that funds the federal government through Feb. 8.

MIECHV funds 18,000 home visits each year for 2,800 families across South Carolina. These visits connect parents to essential services, such as early intervention, and help young children get the services they need to thrive. Children's Trust serves as this state's federal grantee for the home visiting program.

If you want this important prevention investment to continue, please share your support with Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Lindsey Graham today.

Other Children's Programs to Watch

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization was a central tenant of the complicated political fight over the continuing resolution and government shutdown. CHIP, which serves 82,000 low-income children in South Carolina, was extended for six years.
Child Welfare News Across the Nation
Child Abuse Prediction Model Fails Poor Families
According to a story in wired.com, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) sits center stage in the ongoing debate about specifying definitions of neglect and the complexity of income as a correlate and driver.

Key Research Into Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) correlate highly with adult physical and mental illnesses, but playing sports reduces the risk, a story in The Guardian states.

Research into ACEs continues to identify associations with traumatic brain injury , substance abuse , and poor self-regulation , highlighting the need for – and cost savings of – prevention.
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.