September 2019 Newsletter
What We've Been Up To
Impacting the Mission Investing World!
Our recent convening on Investing for Impact: 'Til All the Children Are Well in Silver Spring, MD was a terrific success! Participants from across the United States and colleagues from Australia and the UK enjoyed a fabulous day of learning and sharing that moved the Impact Investing space forward. 
 
Mary Garvey, ICS Director of Innovation and Inclusion, was instrumental in developing this gathering that put equity and inclusion considerations at the center of discussions related to Impact Investing and Pay for Success financing tools. 
Collaborating with Leaders and Experts to Improve SC's Early Childhood System
Bryan Boroughs speaking before the Early Childhood Education Study Committee: WSPA video still
On September 17, ICS VP and General Counsel, Bryan Boroughs, spoke before a group of SC lawmakers comprising the Early Childhood Education Study Committee.
 
The committee was formed to improve the state’s early childhood and education systems and help districts prime young children to enter school ready to succeed. After evaluating strategies and considering options, committee members will submit recommendations in December 2019.
Welcoming JoKeitha Seabrook to the Board of Directors

ICS is very pleased to announce that JoKeitha Seabrook has joined the ICS Board of Directors. JoKeitha serves as Associate Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Greenville County. Since joining the United Way team in 2011, she has held a variety of positions in program investment and community relations and brings to ICS a wealth of nonprofit, philanthropic and program related expertise.
 
JoKeitha holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.    
Featured Clip
ICS Plays Integral Part at SC Statehouse: Research Establishes Paths Forward 

ICS commissioned an informational video to raise awareness of the good things we are doing in the fields of child development, health care and education, as well as in communities (from Capitol Hill to state capitols to city & county councils to homes) to improve outcomes for young children.
 
We asked our partners and supporters to define ICS and have included a brief clip of the video above. We hope that you gain insight on the perspectives of our colleagues across government, academia, non-profit and philanthropy as we highlight a different partner each month. If you would like to see the full-length video, please view it on our Facebook page. 
Out & About
A few ICS team members at Children's Trust of South Carolina's Building Hope for   Children’s Conference on September 6 in Greenville, SC. Pictured from the left are Director of Policy Research Megan Carolan, President Jamie Moon and Senior Fellow Mary MacKenzie.
All pumped up at the United Way of Greenville County campaign pep rally on September 12. Left to right, ICS Board Member Calvin Calhoun, President Jamie Moon, Senior Fellow Linda Brees, and Communications Associate Lisa Maronie.
ICS President Jamie Moon with Madeleine McGee (left) of Together SC and Georgia Mjartan (right) of SC First Steps at the SC First Steps 20 Year Anniversary Celebration at Optus Bank in Columbia on September 10.

Resources
Blog:
Doubling Down on Doulas to Improve Birth Outcomes

By Megan Carolan, Director of Policy Research & Bryan Boroughs, VP & General Counsel
Excerpt: Because doulas generally undergo training related to the physical, emotional, and social aspects of pregnancy, labor, and the newborn days, they have vast experience which can be used to help a delivering woman stay calm and focused, ask the right questions to feel comfortable with medical decisions, and adapt to the new reality of caring for a tiny baby.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has endorsed increased use of doulas as “one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes.” The March of Dimes highlights a number of research-backed benefits from having a doula, including...

Continue reading to discover how some states and cities are exploring options to fund and provide doula services, plus key lessons learned.
Guest Blog:
Forest School Reflection
By Charlotte Neidenbach, Clemson University Class of ’20 (Early Education)

Excerpt: After observing students in action, I noticed how resourceful everyone was. The children did not rely on plastic toys to bring them entertainment. They used natural materials such as stumps, sticks, leaves, dirt, etc. to design their own learning space for that day. Without the confines of walls and ceilings, students’ minds and bodies were able to explore their surroundings.

Continue reading the author's thoughts on how preschool can be not a place to put unnecessary pressure on students to learn letters and numbers before elementary school, but a place of explorational learning.
Upcoming Events
The Economics of Early Childhood
 
In partnership with the Early Learning Partnership of York County, ICS will co-host a breakfast and panel discussion on October 10 in Rock Hill, SC .
 
If you want to better understand how early childhood policy impacts short and long-term economic prosperity, please register .
 
Facilitators :
  • Teresa Creech, Early Learning Partnership of York County
  • Jamie Moon, Institute for Child Success
 
Panelists :
  • Dr. Martha Edwards, Rock Hill Pediatrics
  • Amber Pierce, Reach Out and Read Carolinas
  • David Lisk, York County First Steps
  • Bryan Boroughs, Institute for Child Success
South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Conference
Senior Fellows Mary MacKenzie & Dee Stegelin
Two ICS Senior Fellows will present at the 2019 SCAEYC Conference: Turning the Key for Young Readers , taking place in West Columbia on October 5.

Dr. Dee Stegelin will present "Play-Based and Literacy - Rich instructional Strategies and Environmental Supports for Trauma-Impacted Early Learners" at 12:00 pm, and Mary MacKenzie's session, “Running to Read and Write" will be held at 2:30 pm.
National Dropout Prevention Conference
October 5-8, 2019
Gaylord Rockies Resort and Conference Center
Denver, Colorado

ICS Senior Fellow, Dr. Dee Stegelin, Ph.D., will present,
"Strategies to Support Preschool Children At-Risk for Expulsion and Mental Health Challenges," on October 8. 

Forest Schools and Global Learning Perspectives
 
ICS Senior Fellow Mary MacKenzie will serve as guest speaker, extolling the virtues of "Forest Schools and Global Learning Perspectives," the evening of October 25 at the College of Charleston Alumni Center in Charleston, SC.
 
Forest schools are child-centered outdoor education experiences. This hands-on learning style has been employed throughout Europe where children spend their school day learning outside and through nature.
Bulletin Board
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John Concklin Joins ICS as Palmetto Associate
As Palmetto Associate, John Concklin will focus on the many South Carolina initiatives ICS has underway. These include supporting ICS’s Hello Family projects, ongoing Childhood Homelessness research work with Prisma Health, as well as policy and advocacy initiatives. 
 
Before joining ICS, John held a variety of positions at United Way of Greenville County, most recently serving as the Director of Impact Innovation. While at United Way, John focused on data integration and analysis to map potential pathways out of poverty. 
 
In addition to his social sector career, John is also an accomplished musician and conductor. Recently, he served as Associate Professor of Conducting at Vanderbilt University and has been a conductor with the Atlanta Music Project, Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, and the Furman University Symphony Orchestra.

John graduated with a master's from Yale University and received his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt.
Linda Brees Transitions to Role of Senior Fellow

Linda Brees, one of ICS’s founding board members, has provided leadership to the organization since 2010. Recently, Linda retired from her long-standing position as Director of the Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate. Following her retirement from Prisma, Linda quickly took on a new role, becoming an ICS Senior Fellow in September.
 
In this new position, Linda will focus on early childhood health and safety advocacy, an area developed over her award-winning 25-year career. We are thrilled to continue to benefit from Linda’s expertise and passion!
Board Member Tami McKnew Named to Legal Elite

Natalma "Tami" McKnew was named to Legal Elite of the Upstate by Greenville Business Magazine . ICS is fortunate to be guided by outstanding business and community leaders like Tami.
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