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
• 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.
• 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
• All children ready for school • Stronger families • Safer communities • Significant government cost
avoidance • Healthy and productive adults • More competitive workforce • Stronger economy
VISION
• 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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
¡ Business/Economic Committee § Leader: Jacki Mart in, The Ri ley Inst i tute at Furman Universi ty § Faci l i tator: Megan Branham, Chi ldren’s Trust of South Carol ina
¡ Geographic Disparities Committee § Leader: Debbie Robertson, South Carol ina First Steps § Faci l i tator: Bryan Boroughs, Inst i tute for Chi ld Success
¡ Quality Early Care & Assessment Committee § Leader: Herman Knopf, USC Chi ld Development Research Center § Faci l i tator: Mel issa Strompol is, Chi ldren’s Trust of South Carol ina
¡ Racial/Ethnic Disparities Committee § Leader: Darnel l McPherson, Darl ington County First Steps § Faci l i tator: Cai t l in Carey, United Way Associat ion of South Carol ina
¡ System Investment, Sustainability, & Alignment Committee § Leader: Bi l l Brown, Universi ty of South Carol ina § Faci l i tator: Emi ly Carrol l , Inst i tute for Chi ld Success
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
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: