Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
May 9, 2017
Child Passenger Safety Bill Moves Forward
Other Bills Also Make Progress at End of Session

With the South Carolina legislative session coming to a close this week, the bill that updates child passenger safety laws to more closely reflect recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, H. 3864, will receive a second reading by the Senate. The bill was recalled from the Senate Transportation Committee and moved last week to the second reading calendar.

A bill addressing unfounded child abuse and neglect reports, S. 448, was briefly taken up by the House last week, but it is being held on a 24-hour point of order. The proposed legislation would, with some limitations, authorize the public disclosure of findings or information about unfounded cases of child abuse or neglect resulting in a child fatality or near fatality.

Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg, placed H. 3591, the bill to reauthorize the First Steps program, on the Senate’s contested calendar last week until the search for a new permanent director is complete. In the meantime, First Steps’ reauthorization for fiscal year 2018 has been secured via proviso.

The Persons with Disabilities Right to Parent Act, H. 3538, was read for the third time in the Senate and will now move on to the governor’s desk to be ratified. The act will establish certain requirements and safeguards applicable in child custody, child protection, and probate guardianship proceedings to ensure that persons with disabilities are not denied the right to parent or to have custody of or visitation with a child because of the disability.

Congress Reaches Deal to Fund Federal Government
Budget Funds Services Through September
The U.S. Congress reached agreement on a spending measure for fiscal year 2017 that will keep the government funded through September. The $1 trillion bill was signed by President Donald Trump.

The budget includes small increases to several child care and early education programs: 
  • The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) received an increase of $95 million. This was a bigger increase than what was in the original House and Senate bills.
  • Head Start received an increase of $85 million, including $80 million to cover cost of living increases and $5 million in additional funding for Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships.
  • The 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school program received an increase of $25 million.
Legislation Introduced in U.S. House to Combat Child Sex Trafficking

U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to combat sex trafficking, according to a publicnow.com story. The Empower Educators to Prevent Trafficking Act, H.R. 2268, will help school districts train school staff to detect the signs that children are at risk to sex trafficking.
Podcast Series on Protective Factors

Child Welfare Information Gateway recently released a  two-part podcast series highlighting protective factors. The series features Cailin O'Connor, senior policy analyst at the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and Tabitha Kelly, division chief of the Division of Child and Family Services, Arlington County, Va. 

The first part of the series delves into protective factors definitions and how professionals can identify and recognize protective factors when engaging parents. The second part covers why a protective factors approach was identified and valued by the agency, how staff are trained and reinforced to execute a protective factors approach, and lessons learned about how agency leadership can lead staff to embrace the shift toward protective factors. 

Impact of Incarceration on Dependent Children

According to an article published in Corrections Connection, family members of incarcerated individuals are often referred to as "hidden victims." The article outlines the scope of the problem as well as the risk factors and policy implications.

Children of incarcerated parents are often hidden victims and receive little personal support. They do not benefit from the systemic societal mechanisms generally available to direct crime victims, despite their prevalence and their similarities to direct crime victims. 
Child Welfare Across the Nation
A Snapshot of Statutes Related to Adverse Childhood Experiences
A legislative scan in March by the National Conference of State Legislatures of bills that specifically include references to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), nearly 40 bills in 18 states, also found seven statutes enacted in six different states. That number increases significantly when laws that reference "trauma-informed” policies are included. The number of statutes then totals 20, enacted in 15 different states, according to a story in the ACEs Connection Network. 

Children's Trust leads the ACE Initiative in South Carolina, where the research shows the clear relationship between traumatic experiences as a child and negative health and well-being outcomes as an adult. 

Overhaul of N.C. Child Welfare System Gaining Bipartisan Report

A story in the Carolina Public Press details how the state's troubled child welfare system could be in line for a major overhaul, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers are pushing to change how the state cares for vulnerable children. 

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.