Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children


Children's Trust of South Carolina Policy Post

Policy Post
Jan. 31, 2017
Press Conference on Tap Thursday to Announce 2017 Early Childhood Common Agenda
Children's Trust of South Carolina, Institute for Child Success and United Way of the Midalnds.
Children's Trust, the Institute for Child Success, and United Way Association of South Carolina  will officially unveil the 2017 Early Childhood Common Agenda with a press conference on the first floor of the State House  Thursday at 2 p.m.

The agenda urges state leaders to expand opportunity for young children and includes several specific policy recommendations, including improved access to high-quality preschool and child care as well as new tax credits for working families. The goal of these three organizations,  along with other statewide partners, is to  offer specific recommendations on how to build a smart, comprehensive early childhood system for children 0-5 years old.
Bill Introduced to Reauthorize First Steps
The S.C. House of Representatives introduced a bill last week that addresses reauthorization, overall operations and accountability of First Steps to School Readiness.  H. 3591 was sponsored by Reps. Govan, J.E. Smith, Allison, Erickson, G.R. Smith and Felder.
 
This Week's Meetings 


 
The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children met Tuesday morning at the Gressette Building. The committee identifies and researches issues related to children, provides information and recommendations on policy and legislation to the governor's office and General Assembly, and collaborates with child-serving state agencies. 

  • Education and Public Works K-12 subcommittee, Wednesday, Feb. 1, one hour after adjournment of the House, Blatt Building, Room 433
  • General DSS Oversight subcommittee, Thursday, Feb. 2,  upon adjournment of the Senate, Gressette Building, Room 308
Scott Discusses Success of Home Visiting Model Nurse-Family Partnership in Senate Hearing
Last week during Rep. Tom Rice's (R-Georgia) Senate confirmation hearing to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) asked Rep Rice about his commitment to continuing home visiting programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership and supporting emerging promising practices to improve child outcomes, including Pay For Success.

Sen. Scott posted a video of the exchange on his Twitter page.   
Unsafe 4Moms Car Seats Recalled
Over 1,600  4Moms  self-installing, rear-facing car seats were recalled in January due to an unsafe coupling hook that could prevent the infant carrier from securely attaching to the car seat's base.
 
This equipment failure undermines the safety of the child and poses a serious risk to all passengers of a vehicle should a crash occur. If you or someone you know uses this car seat, discontinue use immediately and contact the manufacturer. 
 
Sign up for Safe Kids Worldwide Child Product Safety recall emails to be aware of potential safety hazards in and out of your home.

Children's Trust is the home to Safe Kids South Carolina, which works to train child passenger safety technicians across the state in order to ensure car seats are installed correctly and working properly.
Child Welfare Across the Nation
Utah: 73,000 Kids to Lose Coverage If ACA Repealed, Not Replaced
 
According to Voices for Utah Children, data from Urban Institute shows more than 270,000 Utah residents, including 73,000 children, could lose coverage without a replacement for the Affordable Care Act.   

Wisconsin: Proposal on New Food Stamp Requirements for Parents
 
According to a story in the LaCrosse Tribune, a proposal, introduced by Gov. Scott Walker, would require parents with school-age children to work at least 80 hours a month (or take job training) in order to continue receiving food stamp benefits.   

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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.