2015 Early Childhood Common Agenda, South Carolina Overview
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This document outlines recommendations from a 2015 early childhood common agenda in South Carolina. The agenda was created by three statewide organizations to guide early childhood policy. It includes recommendations from five committees on areas like quality early care and education, strong family supports, and investment and accountability. The committees recommend expanding home visiting programs, increasing standards for early care, and using tools like racial impact assessments to ensure equitable support for all families. The overall goal is to create a comprehensive early childhood system through policy changes to improve outcomes for young children and families in South Carolina.
2015 Early Childhood Common Agenda, South Carolina Overview
- 1. 2015 EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMON AGENDA SOUTH CAROLINA Building a smart, comprehensive early childhood system through effective policy to create a brighter future for young children and their families
- 2. • Background • Committees • Recommendations • Partners OVERVIEW Funding for this project was provided to Children’s Trust by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support and acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in the 2015 Early Childhood Common Agenda for South Carolina are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.
- 3. • 41% of children ages 3-5 are not enrolled in nursery school, preschool or kindergarten • Only 28% of 4th graders score at or above proficient in reading • More than 50% of children live in families with income less than or equal to 200% of poverty Quick Facts HOW ARE THE CHILDREN? 5TH WORST IN THE NATION FOR CHILD WELL-BEING The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2014). Race for Results: Building a Path to Opportunity for All Children. http://aecf.org/resources/race-for-results The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2013). 2013 Data Book: State trends in well-being. http://aecf.org/resources/the-2013-kids-count-data-book
- 4. • All children ready for school • Stronger families • Safer communities • Significant government cost avoidance • Healthy and productive adults • More competitive workforce • Stronger economy VISION
- 5. • Established in 2014 by three statewide organizations • Updated to be guide for policymakers during the 2015-2016 legislative session • Includes recommendations from 5 committees of child welfare professionals EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMON AGENDA Original Sponsoring Organizations Children’s Trust of SC Institute for Child Success United Way Association of SC
- 6. Committees were organized around policy contexts critical to ensuring all of South Carolina’s children succeed. ① Business/Economics ② Geographic Disparities ③ Quality Early Care and Assessment ④ Racial/Ethnic Disparities ⑤ System Investment, Sustainability and Alignment COMMITTEES
- 7. Quality Early Care and Education • Measurable standards • Evidence-based curriculum • Continuous assessment and improvement Strong Family Supports • Equitable access • Economic intervention Investment and Accountability • Evidence-based solutions • Expansion of successful programs FOCUS AREAS
- 9. QUALITY EARLY CARE & EDUCATION “Clear definitions and standards for quality early care and education coupled with ongoing program evaluation will provide needed accountability.” Create a committee led by DSS Division of Early Care and Education to increase participation in the quality improvement system Modify membership and responsibilities of the State Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Childcare Facilities to strengthen the early care & education system
- 10. STRONG FAMILY SUPPORTS “We support economic strategies that reward work and lift families out of poverty.” Support a state-earned income tax credit (EITC) to give families financial flexibility and increase access to early childhood resources Earned Income Tax Credit (n.): Refundable tax credit for eligible people who work and have income less than specified amounts.
- 11. STRONG FAMILY SUPPORTS “Using standards to map areas where working parents are struggling to receive early care resources guides policy makers to better allocate limited resources.” Utilize the Self-Sufficiency Standard, an accurate measure of cost of living across the state Based on: • Basic needs, no frills budgets • Reflective of all family types • Available for all counties
- 12. STRONG FAMILY SUPPORTS “With limited resources, it is critical we use standards and tools that consider…race to ensure we are equitably and adequately serving all children and families. ” Encourage the use of racial impact assessments to produce opportunity impact statements applied to early care and education policy Just as Fiscal Impact Statements: financial impact Opportunity Impact Statements: impact on communities of color
- 13. INVESTMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY “Existing early childhood programs, which have proven their effectiveness in South Carolina, need to be expanded to serve more families.” Home Visiting: 50% expansion by 2020 • To develop skills and access for pregnant and parenting families from ages 0-5 Family Home Care: Additional compliance visits • To ensure all children are safe within regulated environments ABC Voucher Program: Full 2nd year funding • To allow access to quality early care for middle and low-income families
- 14. ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS For the most recent list of supporters of the 2015 Early Childhood Common Agenda, please visit: scChildren.org/CommonAgenda *The Mary Black Foundation endorses the public policy agenda but does not take a position on specific pieces of legislation. **The Riley Institute at Furan supports the Early Childhood Common Agenda items rising from the Business/Economic Committee.
- 15. ¡ Business/Economic Committee § Leader: Jacki Martin, The Riley Institute at Furman University § Facilitator: Megan Branham, Children’s Trust of South Carolina ¡ Geographic Disparities Committee § Leader: Debbie Robertson, South Carolina First Steps § Facilitator: Bryan Boroughs, Institute for Child Success ¡ Quality Early Care & Assessment Committee § Leader: Herman Knopf, USC Child Development Research Center § Facilitator: Melissa Strompolis, Children’s Trust of South Carolina ¡ Racial/Ethnic Disparities Committee § Leader: Darnell McPherson, Darlington County First Steps § Facilitator: Caitlin Carey, United Way Association of South Carolina ¡ System Investment, Sustainability, & Alignment Committee § Leader: Bill Brown, University of South Carolina § Facilitator: Emily Carroll, Institute for Child Success COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
- 16. Children’s Trust of South Carolina | scChildren.org Whitney Tucker, MPH Policy and Research Associate [email protected] │ 803-744-4049 For additional information, please contact: