Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
April 3, 2018
April Proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month
Gov. McMaster Cites Importance of Preventing Child Abuse
Citing child abuse and neglect as a serious public health problem in the state, Gov. Henry McMaster issued an official proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month.

The proclamation states the importance of prevention programs that give families in communities across South Carolina the knowledge and resources to learn, grow and thrive while providing a safe, caring environment for children.

McMaster encourages all South Carolinians to work together to protect the safety and well-being of children in the Palmetto State. Standing with more than 100 prevention partners across the state, Children's Trust of South Carolina directs the annual effort each April that brings together voices advocating for children and families during CAP Month.
McMaster to Hold Press Conference at Governor's Mansion
Gov. McMaster will host a press conference with Children's Trust and the Department of Social Services at the Governor's Mansion to launch Child Abuse Prevention Month Wednesday, April 4, at 2 p.m.

Along with McMaster, Children's Trust CEO Sue Williams and DSS Director Susan Alford will speak. Media are invited to attend.
On the South Carolina Legislative Radar
State Budget Has Passed House, Headed to Senate Finance
The Senate Finance Committee began its work on the 2018-19 state budget. Included are efforts to increase the likelihood of foster parents formally adopting children already in their care.

The bill for the budget is H.4950 . It passed the House March 14. Subcommittees of the Senate Finance Committee have posted their proviso recommendations for the full committee online for review, which is ongoing.


Be There

People who work or volunteer with children and their families need to know about trauma-informed treatments. The Joint Council on Children and Adolescents (SCJCCA) is holding a trauma-informed care workshop Tuesday, April 24, in Beaufort, the first in a series of regional sessions around the state.
Federal Roundup
Congressional Funding for Children Becomes Clearer
Details of the federal spending bill signed March 23, which funds the U.S. government through September, are becoming clearer. Most notably for children's advocates, a tripling of  Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) state grants and near doubling of Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG) was included in the bill. 
 
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is the only federal legislation exclusively dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Congress authorized a $60 million increase for CAPTA state grants, prioritizing plans of safe care for newborns affected by substance abuse or withdrawal, an issue explored by the New York Times .

Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) is also funded through CAPTA. In South Carolina, Children's Trust uses CBCAP funds to provide training for providers on positive parenting through Triple P .
Report Published on Improving Quality of Child Care
According to a report published by the National Women's Law Center and the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) aims to improve the quality of child care and increase access to it in order to serve low-income young children and support their parents in maintaining stable employment. The law itself doesn't guarantee any new resources, and Congress has been inconsistent in appropriating tax dollars for implementation.

The omnibus spending bill includes the largest ever single-year increase for the CCDBG. The increase is projected to extend assistance to 151,000 additional children nationwide, serving 1,100 more children in South Carolina.
Child Welfare Across the Nation
Tax Credits Being Considered in Mississippi
Mississippi is considering tax credits for people who donate to charities that serve foster kids as well as credits for families who adopt, as explained by a story on msnewsnow.com .

The proposal mirrors aspects of Arizona's broader tax credits for donors supporting qualified charitable organizations. South Carolina uses tax credits to support tuition for children with special educational needs to attend independent schools with special instructional services or programs, structured similarly to the Arizona credits.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Puts Spotlight on Prevention in Every State
Child advocates are ramping up nationally for Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month. In Maine, the governor spoke at a press conference called by the Maine Children’s Trust to highlight work being done a to prevent abuse. The annual event was held under the shadow of the two recent child abuse deaths in the state, those of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy and 4-year-old Kendall Chick.

Here in South Carolina, Children's Trust has many activities planned in April. See our recent CAP Month newsletter for more information.
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.