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

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

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

wtucker@scchildren.org │ 803-744-4049

For additional information, please contact: