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Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
September 2017
MIECHV Reauthorization Deadline Looms
U.S. Congress Considers Funding of Home Visiting Programs
The time to act in favor of home visiting has reached a critical point. Hundreds of child-serving organizations across the nation, including Children’s Trust of South Carolina, have mobilized support for the reauthorization of the federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. The current legislation is set to expire Sept. 30.

The evidence-based program, which has had strong bipartisan backing, provides funding that improves the lives of vulnerable children and families. Advocates want to see it expanded for a term of five years with increased incremental funding from $400 million annually to $800 million. There has been significant and purposeful movement made toward the current legislation being reauthorized. A bipartisan letter of strong support signed by 13 U.S. Senators includes Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.

MIECHV funds approximately 125 staff positions in South Carolina and has provided over 48,000 home visits to families since 2011. Please contact members of our state's  Congressional delegation   by phone or through social media, using the hashtag #SC4MIECHV, to lend your voice to the effort of expanding home visiting.
Community Gatherings Continue on Race Equity
Next Discussion to Be Held Thursday in Columbia
Children's Trust, in partnership with eight other stakeholders, is hosting a series of race equity and inclusion gatherings in communities that will conclude this month.

The gatherings provide a safe place for expression, an increased awareness of racial disparities for children, an opportunity to learn about South Carolina’s civil rights history, and discussions about public and private systems that perpetuate inequities. Speaking Down Barriers  facilitators, trained in anti-racist framework and conflict mediation, host the conversations.

The sponsoring organizations, including Children's Trust, are the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina; Care Share Health Alliance; Eat Smart, Move More of South Carolina; Palmetto Association for Children and Families; Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness; South Carolina Hospital Association, and St. Martin's in the Fields Episcopal Church.

The final two gatherings will be held in Columbia, Thursday, Sept. 21, and Florence, Thursday, Sept. 28. For more information, contact Whitney Tucker, Children's Trust policy and research associate, at  wtucker@scchildren.org .
Racial Equity Impact Assessment Guide Available
Download Information to Help Achieve Equitable Outcomes
A Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA) is a systematic examination of how different racial and ethnic groups will be affected by a proposed policy, action or decision. 

This guide, released by Children’s Trust and informed by partners of the  South Carolina Early Childhood Common Agenda , is a step-by-step manual for decision-makers, analysts, and organizations to evaluate policy impact on racial and ethnic groups in order to determine how to proactively achieve equitable outcomes in our state.

The  South Carolina Racial Equity Impact Assessment Guide  is now available for download on the Children’s Trust website alongside a variety of other race-equity resources for organizations and individuals. 
Time to Learn at Prevention Conference 2017
Don't miss the opportunity to register for  Prevention Conference 2017  hosted by Children’s Trust Oct. 2-3 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 26.

With a theme of "Embracing Prevention, Empowering Communities," the biennial event will emphasize the role everyone plays in keeping children safe. The conference, which costs $200 to attend, will feature more than 40 sessions over seven learning tracks and cover a variety of interests and disciplines. It will help social workers, home visitors, counselors, program administrators and other child-serving professionals in their work to prevent child abuse and neglect. Continuing education units are available.

As part of the conference, Children’s Trust also is hosting the   Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Summit   Oct. 3. This in-depth technical training will provide the most current information regarding safety regulations, equipment training and updates from car seat manufacturers. To help child passenger safety technicians maintain their certification, this training will offer continuing education units.
South Carolina Ranks High in At-Risk Youth
A  recent study released by wallethub.com  ranks South Carolina No. 10 nationally with the most at-risk youth. The full data set for South Carolina shows that 16.9 percent of young adults are disconnected youth, which refers to those between the ages of 18 and 24 who are not attending school, not working, and have no degree beyond a high school diploma. 
Report Released on Opioid Crisis
The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis has recently released an  interim report  that makes eight major recommendations related to expanding treatment, staunching the flow of drugs, and enforcing the  Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act . The interim report indicated that the final report will examine other issues, including one directly related to trauma and ACEs.
Child Welfare Across the Nation
Vermont Lawmakers Appointed to ACE Working Group
The Vermont legislature recently passed  H.508, a bill that will better support young children and their families who face adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) . As part of that bill’s implementation, legislators have been appointed to an ACE working group that will research and analyze Vermont’s current resources that help address ACEs. Based on the findings of the group, the Vermont Agency of Human Services will develop a response plan to present to the legislature in January 2019.
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.