Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
Jan. 16, 2018
Children's Trust Names New Policy Director
Mellen to Serve as Organization's Advocate
Neil Mellen has joined Children's Trust as the new director of policy and advocacy for the start of the 2018 legislative session of the South Carolina General Assembly.

His role includes educating policy makers, thought leaders and child advocates on issues that impact children and families. Mellen will focus on advancing public policies at the local, state and federal levels that reduce child abuse, neglect and injury.

Prior to joining this organization, he played a key role as an architect of South Carolina’s tax credit and scholarship programs for students with special educational needs.
On the South Carolina Legislative Radar
Promoting Quality and Affordable Child Care
School Readiness Tax Credits (SRTC) , which were carried over by the House Ways and Means Education subcommittee, are a priority of the Early Childhood Common Agenda (ECCA) designed to help promote child care quality and affordability while increasing the income and professional development of the early childhood workforce. The credits are based on a cost-effective and successful model in Louisiana .

Credits for child care workers and centers are included in S.C. First Step’s budget request. Across South Carolina, 180,000 children and their parents depend on child care each day.

Bills to Watch

  • S.760: Licensing requirements for summer camps, sent to General Committee
  • S.840: Department of Early Development and Education Department; sent to General Committee, as was the similar S.795
  • S.805: Department of Children’s Advocacy, sent to General Committee
  • S.778: Including former cohabitators as “household members” for domestic abuse protections, sent to Judiciary Committee
  • S.803: Human trafficking prevention class requirements for commercial driver’s licenses, sent to Transportation Committee
  • H.4387: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for teachers, sent to Education and Public Works Committee
Federal Roundup
Children's Trust Pushes for MIECHV Reauthorization
The MIECHV (Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting) program renewal struggles for attention amidst a larger fight in the U.S. Congress for CHIP. Bipartisan support exists, but defining differences between the House and Senate versions remain.

MIECHV funds 18,000 home visits a year for 2,800 families across South Carolina. Children's Trust serves as this state's federal grantee for the home visiting program.

Additional Federal Programs and Policies to Watch

Medicaid recipients could face work requirements as the White House offers states that option . Gov. Henry McMaster wants the precondition in South Carolina . Experts note that 3 to 10 percent of recipients may be affected . Medicaid insures 488,000 low-income children in South Carolina.

CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) reauthorization is likely to reach the House floor this week, says the committee chair. CHIP serves 82,000 low-income children in South Carolina.
Headlines Around the State
Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program in South Carolina is highlighted by the Children’s Bureau . CBCAP directs $350,000 annually in Federal funds to assist SC state efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Nuclear fiasco, ethics reform, teacher salaries, and offshore drilling will define South Carolina legislative session, predicts Statehouse Report .

Farm water use, state workforce, and higher education will be key topics as well, forecasts The State newspaper .

Statewide election preparation, particularly the mechanics of governor/lieutenant governor ticket, will be complex and time-consuming, but the nuclear issue will dominate or preempt all else, says ETV and Post & Courier .

Budget shortfall and slower than projected revenue growth will hamper – or justify rejecting – program growth across the board, writes Statehouse Report .
Child Welfare News Across the Nation
Pre-K longitudinal benefits documented in Oklahoma, writes Education Week .

ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) approach to the opioid crisis in West Virginia, reported by The Hill .

CATCH (Community Access to Child Health) program celebrating 25 years of pediatric community collaboration, according to AAP News .
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.