Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
 
May 6, 2015        
CEO Sue Williams Emphasizes Prevention
to Senate DSS Oversight Committee
Children's Trust CEO Sue Williams testified at the Senate Department of Social Services Oversight Committee. She spoke on adverse childhood experiences, the framework for prevention and highlighted several programs that could be implemented across the state to grow stronger families. She spoke about the role prevention can play for emerging issues, such as sex trafficking.

Naomi Torfin, executive director of South Carolina Children Come First, spoke to establishing an office of the child advocate in South Carolina. This office would function as an independent organization that can provide active and continuous oversight for children, unconnected and without conflict to government. The proposal is for the office to report to the Attorney General or the Inspector General. 

The video testimony is available. See the archive for Senate General DSS Oversight Subcommittee on Wednesday, April 29.

A news clip from WIS TV (Columbia) is also available.
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Safe Kids Coalition Members Advocate for Safer Child Passenger Safety Law
Updates Sought to Match SC Law to American Academy of Pediatrics' Standards

As the statewide leader for the prevention of injury, child abuse and neglect for South Carolina's children, Children's Trust hosted 45 safety advocates from across South Carolina for a day at the State House on Tuesday, April 28.  

 

Participants visited with legislative members to advocate for updating South Carolina's child passenger safety law. In 2012 South Carolina had the seventh highest motor vehicle crash fatality rate in the country among children ages 4 to 8 years old. Children's Trust and it partners are seeking to update South Carolina's child passenger safety law to match the standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics:   

  • Rear-facing child seats for children 2 and younger;
  • Forward-facing child seats or booster seats for children 1-8 years old until weight/height limits of the seat are met;
  • Adult seat belts for children older than 8 years old at least 4'9"; and
  • Children 13 years and older may ride in a front passenger seat.
Senate bill S 464 makes these recommended changes. Senators Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg; Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee; Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston; and Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington; are sponsors of the legislation.

An issue brief on child passenger safety is available.  


Thank you to the Safe Kids Advocates who participated.  
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First Steps Seeking Participation in Stakeholder Survey
Survey to Determine "How are the Children?"
Ken Wingate, chairman of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, is seeking participation on a brief survey. He states in his request letter, "As we plan for the future, we'd like to hear from all who serve young children and families across the Palmetto State. Whether as parents, professionals or both, we all make a difference in the lives of South Carolina's children.   

The survey is available until May 18. 
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Journal of Pediatrics Releases Report on Child Deaths in Car Seats

Report Emphasizes that Infant Car Seats to be Used for Traveling, not Sleeping 

 

A new study in the Journal of Pediatrics reviewed 47 deaths of children under 2 years old that happened in car seats, bouncers, swings, strollers or slings between 2004 and 2008. The study reports that the 31 deaths that occurred in car seats were caused by either strap strangulation or suffocation due to improper positioning (positional asphyxia). 

The news story from Reuters Health is available. The report can be accessed at the link below.   

 

  Learn more
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Article Explores Next Steps for Anti-Bullying Policy 
Federal Anti-Bullying Definition Could Be Developed

With all 50 states now having passed anti-bullying laws, discussion now moves to how those laws are being implemented. The article, first published on the Huffington Post, highlights the lack of a consistent definition of bullying between states and within states and points out the challenges for districts and schools on how to maintain a safe learning environment. It notes that an effective anti-bullying policy requires a comprehensive approach, one that addresses both victims and perpetrators.     

 

With the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the article reports that debate is focused on, "to what degree the U.S. Department of Education should have oversight of schools bullying efforts. It seems as through the stage is primed for Congress to provide a federal definition of bullying, much as it did in 1973 for child abuse."   

 

Learn more

 

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Child Welfare News from Around the Country
New Program in California Targeting Foster Youth 

Southern California Public Radio reports on Imagine L.A., a nonprofit organization based in California that works primarily with homeless families. They are supporting a two-year pilot program aimed at stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect by targeting foster youth likely to age out of the system who are either pregnant or already raising babies.  

 

  Learn more
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