Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
April 24, 2018
Child's Advocate Bill Moves to Full House Vote
Creation of Safeguard Office for Children Pushes Forward
The bill proposing an Office of the Child’s Advocate ( S.805 ), authored by Sen. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington), passed out of a House committee.

The role of the advocate includes receiving and investigating reports of failures in statewide agencies that care for children. Read our policy brief for more details.

The bill heads next to a full vote by the House, the last major step for enactment. It is scheduled for debate by the House Tuesday, April 24.
Bills to Watch
H.4705 expands mandated reporting of suspect child abuse or neglect. The bill adds school administrators, coaches, and counselors, as well as individuals who present themselves as religious counselors. Amendments by the Senate General Committee clarified internal reporting to a supervisor, rather than law enforcement, is required, and duty to report is not superseded by an internal investigation within the institution. Reporters are mandated only when acting in their professional capacity.

Be There

The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children will meet Tuesday, April 24, at 9 a.m. in the Gressette Building, Room 407.

A car seat check will be held by Children’s Trust for lawmakers and State House employees on the grounds Thursday, April 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. The event, which features a 10 a.m. press conference with lawmakers and safety advocates, raises awareness about last May's passage of a new child passenger safety law ( H.3864 ) that helps keep children safer in motor vehicles.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Events Focus on Investments in Prevention Programs
Upstate Partners Saluted for Support of Children and Families
Children’s Trust held an April 13 event during Child Abuse Prevention Month at A Child's Haven in Greenville. The organization saluted its Upstate grantees and announced the annual funding investment behind the programs these partners deliver in this fiscal year. The investment of $2.7 million in evidence-based prevention services involved 13 local partners operating in eight counties in the Upstate.
Charleston Makes Declaration as a Pinwheel City
Child Abuse Prevention Month took a turn in the spotlight April 19 in downtown Charleston at Colonial Lake.

Mayor John Tecklenburg joined with Children's Trust, Dee Norton Children's Advocacy Center and the Charleston County Department of Social Services for a press conference announcing the designation of Charleston as a Pinwheel City. Pinwheels are the national symbol for happy, healthy childhoods.
Federal Roundup
Children's Bureau Details Family First Act
The Children’s Bureau has released a detailed memorandum describing the Family First Act. The Child Welfare League of America summarized the memo to explain how states will have the option to draw down funding for qualified services and programs for children considered to be candidates for foster care or who are pregnant or parenting foster youth.
Child Welfare Across the Nation
Studies Show Tax Credits Lead to Improved Child Outcomes
A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research that links state-level Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs) to a reduction in cases of child maltreatment adds to mounting evidence of the EITC’s importance for improving health outcomes for children in low-income households.

The findings are the latest in a growing body of research that links the EITC to improved health outcomes for low-income workers and their children. South Carolina passed a non-refundable Earned Income Tax Credit for working families as part of the roads bill in 2017. Non-refundability makes that South Carolina’s income tax credit regressive, providing less relief to the lowest earners.
National Alliance Provides Understanding of Child Neglect
Practical videos and discussion toolkits to prevent child neglect have been released by the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds . The materials will help practitioners raise public awareness and understanding of child maltreatment. They focus on causes, protective factors that help shield children and families, and manageable steps that each of us can take to help reduce the likelihood of child neglect.
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.