Presidential candidates need to address the impact that poverty and inequality have on child well-being as they campaign both nationally and across South Carolina. Children’s Trust of South Carolina CEO Sue Williams and United Way Association of South Carolina CEO Tim Ervolina make the case for all children receiving the opportunity to become happy, healthy and productive adults.
The Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity, happening Saturday, Jan. 9, in Columbia, will be a major opportunity for Republican presidential candidates to offer their solutions to poverty and inequality in American society. Jack Kemp, former Republican U.S. representative and vice presidential candidate, was a conservative who championed anti-poverty and opportunity initiatives.
At their best, presidential campaigns offer an opportune time to mold consensus on critical national issues and galvanize the public will necessary for action.
It is our belief that any discussion of long-term poverty issues must include solutions for children that ensure opportunities for them to grow into successful, economically self-sufficient adults.
For the first time in our country’s history, children face the prospect of growing up less healthy, living shorter lives than those in 30 other countries with populations of one million or more, and being less equipped to compete and lead in a world economy. Children’s issues are central to our future prosperity as a nation, and we stand at a critical juncture. The time is now to provide them and their families with greater supports and opportunities.
Children represent one-quarter of South Carolina’s and the nation’s population. Of all age groups, children are the most likely to live in poverty, and at more than double the national rate for seniors. Moreover, the rates of child poverty are three times higher for children of color than for white, non-Hispanic children.
To date, there has been very little attention given in presidential debates to key issues facing America’s children. In the first eight debates, more than 400 questions have been asked, and not a single discussion has focused on how to ensure our children’s health, safety, security or education. According to a recent poll in Iowa, improving health, education and the well-being of children ranks highest on issues voters believe the next president should address.
With 35 percent of all public funding to support children coming from the federal government, we believe this discussion is overdue.
The country’s leading poverty scholars recently published a plan for reducing poverty – based upon principles of the report, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Security: A Consensus Plan for Reducing Poverty and Restoring the American Dream. With children and families the focus of the report, key recommendations include strengthening families through parenting supports, well-child health care, home visiting, early childhood education and fatherhood initiatives. We encourage the candidates to use this report as a starting point for rich and meaningful discussions.
We hope the Kemp Forum in South Carolina will be where it begins.
The Kemp Forum runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI) and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (SC) will moderate. Seven presidential candidates have accepted the invitation to discuss fighting poverty and expanding opportunity in America. They are Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, and Marco Rubio.
Sue Williams is chief executive officer of Children’s Trust of South Carolina, South Carolina’s statewide agency working to prevent child abuse, neglect and injury through proven prevention programs and strong, well-founded policies that positively impact child well-being.
Tim Ervolina is president and chief executive officer of the United Way Association of South Carolina, the common voice of the 28 independent, locally-governed United Ways in the Palmetto State working together to create long-lasting opportunities for everyone to have a good life.
