Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
March 22, 2016  
Children's Trust to Host Community Conversation in North Charleston
Event Scheduled for April 1 to Increase Opportunity and Equity Outcomes
 
Children's Trust will host a Lowcountry Community Conversation on Child Well-Being on Friday, April 1, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Felix Davis Community Center in North Charleston. 
 
Attendees will participate in roundtable discussions on current child well-being data and identify solutions to increase opportunity and equity outcomes in the Lowcountry and throughout South Carolina. The event is limited to 30 people and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close at midnight March 25.
 
Children's Trust will provide snacks and refreshments, and visitor parking is free at the center. For more information, contact Whitney Tucker, policy research associate at Children's Trust, at [email protected] or 803-744-4049. 
Senate to Take Up Supporting and Strengthening Families Act
The Senate Judiciary subcommittee will begin discussion on S. 1041, the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, today, Wednesday, March 23, at 9 a.m. in Room 105 of the Gressette Building. The bill would allow a parent or legal guardian to delegate (by executed power of attorney) the child to an adult care-giving authority for a period not to exceed one year. The bill specifies exceptions including a pending a child protection investigation by the Department of Social Services or if there is an ongoing child protection investigation involving the parent.   
 
Starting this week, the House takes up the annual general appropriations bill H. 5001 for fiscal year 2016-17 as well as H. 5002, the annual bill involving the Capital Reserve Fund.   

The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is meeting Wednesday, March 23, at 11 a.m. in Room 607 of the Gressette Building.
 
In the week of March 28, both the House and the Senate are not scheduled to meet in general session due to furloughs. 
 
Election filing started last week

Statewide filing began on March 16 for the elections on Nov. 8. You can view the current list of candidates who have filed to run for the S.C. House of Representatives and S.C. Senate at the South Carolina Election Commission website.  
National Commission Releases Final Report on Child Fatalities
After more than two years, 11 hearings across the country, and several research roundtables, the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities has released its report and accompanying fact sheet.

The Commission was established under the 2012 Protect our Kids Act to develop a national strategy to eliminate child fatalities from abuse and neglect.




Key findings from the report include:

  • an estimated four to eight children die every day from abuse and neglect; and
  • children who have died are overwhelmingly young, with approximately half less than a year old and 75 percent under 3 years of age.

The report also offers six key recommendations that should be implemented immediately to save the lives of children and

four recommendations that lay the groundwork for a national reform strategy. The Commission's recommendations support stronger Child Protective Services agencies that are better able to use data to identify and protect children with greater accountability.

  

CDC Shares Vision to Prevent Multiple Forms of Violence Through Five-Year Plan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released "Preventing Multiple Forms of Violence: A Strategic Vision for Connecting the Dots," a report that identifies and prioritizes funding initiatives and collaborative efforts across the country to stop different forms of violence such as child abuse and neglect, youth violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, elder abuse, and suicidal behavior.
 
The strategic focus is on childhood and adolescence achieving long-term measurable reductions in violence. There are also recommendations on identifying populations and communities at highest risk for experiencing or perpetrating violence, using shared risk and protective factors as important tools to reduce violence, and facilitating the identification and implementation of approaches that have the broadest impact. 
Examining Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic
First Focus State Policy and Advocacy Reform Center submitted a statement for the record earlier this month on the U.S. Senate hearing that was held on "Examining the Opioid Epidemic: Challenges and Opportunities." 

The report highlights how greatly affected children are by this growing epidemic. Children are entering the child welfare system at higher rates due to abuse and neglect related to substance abuse. The intent of the statement is to show linkages between the opioid crisis, challenges faced by state child welfare system, and recommendations for improved outcomes for families that struggle with substance abuse issues.
Child Welfare From Across the Country
Maine Passes Bill Requiring Training for Mandated Reporters

A Maine bill requiring training for people mandated to report suspected child abuse is headed to Gov. Paul LePage for his signature, as reported by Portland station WCHS6The bill is designed to require people such as doctors, teachers and religious leaders to undergo periodic trainings on how to spot warning signs of child abuse. 

Delaware Bill Seeks to Protect Opioid Addicted Infants

According to a story by newsworks.org, legislators in Delaware introduced a bill protecting infants exposed to illegal drugs or alcohol during their mother's pregnancy. 
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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.
Children's Trust of South Carolina  |  [email protected]  scChildren.org

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