Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children


Children's Trust of South Carolina Policy Post

Policy Post
Dec. 6, 2016
Legislative Organizational Meetings to Begin
Members of the General Assembly return to Columbia this week for the organizational session. There are 24 incoming members with 17 in the House and 7 in the Senate.  
 
Both the House and Senate will go through the process of organizing for the 2017-2018 session, including selecting officers, assigning committee members and approving chamber rules.
 
Prefiling of legislation for the upcoming session will take place Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 15. The regular session will begin Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.
National Report Addresses Key Health Strategies
Report Ties Into Several Children Trust Priorities for South Carolina

A report released last month by Trust for America's Health offered several, national public policy strategies that could substantially impact health of Americans.
 
Entitled Blueprint for a Healthier America 2016: Policy Priorities for the Next Administration and Congress, the report states that more than half of U.S. children - across the economic spectrum - experience adversity such as physical or sexual abuse, and more than 20 percent live below the poverty line, which increases their risk for toxic stress that can contribute to a range of physical, mental and behavioral health issues. 

Investments in early childhood education can help mitigate the impact of these risks and increase resilience, while also providing an annual return of 7 to 10 percent per year. Supportive nurse-family home visits for high-risk families show a return of $5.70 for every dollar program invested.

Children's Trust supports investment in early childhood through the Early Childhood Common Agenda and also works to reduce toxic stress and poor health outcomes into adulthood through our Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Initiative.
 
First ACE Trainings of 2017 Set

For those interested in learning more about ACEs, Children's Trust has scheduled ACE trainings for 2017 at its office on 1330 Lady Street in Columbia. They will be held Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon and April 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.
 
The trainings are limited to 30 people and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The content will cover four key areas: neurobiology and brain development, the ACE Study, individual and population impact, and prevention and resiliency.
Child Care Report Details State Policies That Help Children, Families and Communities Prosper
A new report from the National Women's Law Conference, Red Light Green Light: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2016, highlights state policies that address income eligibility and co-payments required for child care assistance, waiting lists, reimbursements for providers, and child care assistance for parents while searching for employment.
 
The report found that families in 31 states were better off in February 2016 than in February 2015 under one or more key child care assistance policies. Families in 15 states were worse off under one or more of these policies.

South Carolina was highlighted for its effort to extend time from 30 to 90 days that parents could receive child care assistance while job searching.
Nominations Sought for Child Advocates
The Palmetto Association for Children and Families (PAFCAF) is recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to South Carolina's children and families. Nominations are due Wednesday, Dec 21.
 
The two award recipients will be honored at the PAFCAF conference in February 2017.
Child Welfare News From Across the Country
Iowa To Consider Expanding Mandated Reporting
 
According to a news report from Iowa Public Radio, the state is exploring the expansion of child abuse mandated reporting to include women who use legal drugs such as alcohol during pregnancy. Women could be reported for possible abuse under proposed legislation state lawmakers may consider in January.

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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.