In the 2026 legislative session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation aimed at helping children and families in South Carolina. A few of those include: Wins for Kin Care and Investment in Prevention Kin Specific Licensing: This law allows...
Children’s Trust hosted a press conference this week to release an economic report that estimates the expense due to the long-term health and employment impacts of child abuse and neglect. The study was authored by Joseph Von Nessen, Ph.D., research...
By Jessica KobernikProgram Manager Suicide Prevention Program at South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Office of Mental Health September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time for increasing public awareness, learning...
By Sarah Knox, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy The legislative session for 2025 has wrapped up, and the General Assembly has finalized its FY 25-26 budget. The General Assembly will come back into regular session on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 for the second...
Children’s Trust announced the following policy priorities for the 2025 legislative session. CEO Sue Williams said the legislative agenda is essential to advancing policies that protect children, strengthen families, and ensure safer communities. “By...
The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children holds public hearings across South Carolina every fall to hear about issues affecting children and families. This year, several speakers highlighted the need for continued investment in prevention. Dr....
Children's Trust CEO presented Sen. Katrina Shealy with the inaugural award during the closing of the 2024 Building Hope for Children Conference on Aug. 29 in Greenville. This award honors individuals who have significantly impacted the lives of children and...
The regular South Carolina General Assembly session ended on Thursday, May 9, at 5 p.m. However, there is still much work left to be done, and members will meet throughout the rest of the calendar year to finalize the 2024-2025 budget and deal with a handful of...
In our final Policy Forum of 2023, we are sharing short stories from across the state where voluntary home visiting programs made a significant difference in the lives of a mother and her child. Local home visiting programs assist families by pairing them with...
Last week Governor Henry McMaster held a ceremonial signing of S.380, the KinGAP bill, which will allow allows DSS to create a Kinship Guardianship Program. During the event, Senator Katrina Shealy, lead sponsor of the bill, made the following comments. ...
The agenda was shaped by input from advocates, parents, and students throughout South Carolina. By Becky Budds Watch the Interview COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Wednesday, the Children's Trust of South Carolina revealed its legislative agenda aimed at addressing...
By Nick Neville Watch the Interview COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Children’s Trust of South Carolina, an organization focused on preventing the abuse and neglect of children, urged lawmakers on Wednesday to take steps that they say will improve child care access and...