Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
May 2, 2017
Governor Proclaims May as Childhood Drowning Prevention Month in South Carolina
Gov. Henry McMaster has issued a proclamation for Childhood Drowning Prevention Month in South Carolina in May, which is also National Water Safety Month.

Children’s Trust leads the Water Safety Coalition to mobilize statewide advocates as a way of raising awareness, increasing safety education, formulating policy, and crafting strategy on how child drowning deaths can be prevented.

This group of partners includes representatives from state agencies, community water safety organizations, and Safe Kids local affiliates throughout South Carolina. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental injuries related to death among children ages 1-4, a primary factor driving the work of those working to keep children safe in and around water.
Legislators Discuss Child-Related Bills
Session Scheduled to Close in Two Weeks

The House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee took up S. 448 last week and passed it out of committee. 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.

The Senate General Committee amended H. 3823 (mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect) so that it is identical to S. 447, the Senate version of the bill, and passed it out of committee. 

The bill known as the Stop the Schoolhouse to Jailhouse Pipeline Act, H. 3055, was considered in the Senate Judiciary subcommittee last week.

The Senate Judiciary subcommittee considered S. 580 pertaining to children in adult jails . The bill eliminates the exception for children to be tried as an adult and decreases the length of time that a child may be held in a juvenile detention facility for committing a status offense or violating a related court order.

A  bill establishing requirements related to prescribing opioid analgesics to minors, H. 3819,   was debated   in the House 3-M subcommittee I, Health and Environmental Affairs .

The Senate Judiciary subcommittee   continued consideration of   H. 3442, proposed legislation that adds circumstances under which a nonresident may adopt a child and provide for the right to file a petition for adoption.  

The Senate Education Committee  discussed   the benchmarks of H. 3591, the First Steps to School Readiness Comprehensive Long-Range Initiative.

The bill addressing placement of infants at safe havens, H. 3116, has crossed over to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on General.

A bill on local child fatality review teams, S. 170, has crossed over to the House and was referred to the House Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.
Report Released on Childhood Spending by State
A recent research report states that South Carolina ranks No. 28 in per-child spending ($7,821) after adjusting for cost of living among the 50 states and District of Columbia.

The nonprofit Urban Institute, which conducts research and offers evidence-based solutions to improve lives and strengthen communities, entitled the report, "Unequal Playing Field? State Differences in Spending on Children in 2013."  It details the importance of providing children with ample opportunities for success, regardless of where they live, and how state and local government budgets must include provisions for children's basic education, health care, social services, and other support programs 
Annie E. Casey Foundation Case Studies
Integrated Data Systems Can Improve Childhood Outcomes

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s case study report of Wisconsin and Washington is one in series of briefs that make a case for how investment in integrated data systems pays off in improved outcomes and better allocation of resources.
Making Evidence-Based Practices Work for Kids of Color

Proven programs that work well in white communities can fail to deliver for communities of color. A new Race for Results case study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, "Considering Culture: Building the Best Evidence-Based Practices for Children of Color," highlights local organizations and programs that are adopting nontraditional approaches and applying evidence-based practices in culturally relevant ways.
Teen Girls Being Pushed Out of Schools

According to an extensive report released today by the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), teenage girls face a number of barriers to getting a quality education. Nearly one in three teenage girls has experienced sexual violence or other physical violence.

The survey, titled "Let Her Learn: Stopping School Pushout," aims to take a closer look at what girls with varying identities and experiences face in school on a daily basis. The series of reports uncover major obstacles girls face to getting a quality education and topple the conventional wisdom that girls are doing well in school.
Child Welfare Across the Nation
Utah Attorney General Says Hitting Children With Belt Is Abuse

The Utah Attorney General’s office cited The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) 2016 Position Statement: Corporal Punishment of Children as support for a recent argument to the State Supreme Court that hitting children with an object such as a belt is inherently harmful and therefore constitutes grounds for the juvenile court to assert authority over a child.
Florida Foster Care Leaders Quit Amid Teen Suicides

Beset by turmoil over the recent suicides of two foster children in their care, as well as persistent complaints that they were overly secretive and unresponsive, three of the top administrators of Miami's Our Kids child welfare agency have resigned, according to a story in the Miami Herald.

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.