Hope was more than a theme at the 2026 Building Hope for Children Conference. It was a call to action. Close to 700 professionals, advocates, policymakers and community leaders gathered in Columbia on Aug. 19-20 for the biennial conference, centered on the theme...
Family-serving organizations from across South Carolina gathered in Columbia for the annual summit of the S.C. Family Support Network, convened by Children's Trust of South Carolina to bring together members who work directly with families in their local communities. ...
By Kate Purtle, Founder of Fostering Feedback: Letters to Lawmakers My name is Kate, and I am a rising high school senior. Before I could walk, talk or understand what the foster care system was, it had already changed the course of my life. When my twin sister and I...
Dr. Mary-Fran Crosswell, Child Abuse Pediatrician and Chair of the South Carolina State Child Fatality Advisory Committee Enacted in 1993 by South Carolina Code, the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee reviews completed investigations of deaths involving children...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Critical child and family well-being measures show some progress for children in South Carolina, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how children and families are faring nationwide....
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...
Child Abuse Prevention Month is our yearly chance to build support for prevention across South Carolina. We come together with partners, highlight prevention successes and remind everyone, as S.C. Department of Social Services Director Tony Catone so aptly shared at...
On April 2, 2026, at the South Carolina State House, state leaders and child advocates gathered to declare April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in South Carolina. What came out of that press conference was more than just a ceremonial proclamation. It was clear:...
While they may spend their days in living rooms, kitchens and nurseries helping families build the foundation for healthy, thriving lives, this week, more than 70 home visitors from across South Carolina traded their home visits for the halls of the State House....
Every day, dedicated home-visiting professionals in South Carolina quietly transform lives, stepping through families’ doors as trusted guides, advocates and partners. They help families navigate some of life’s most vulnerable...
By Senator Mike Reichenbach and Representative Carla Schuessler, Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children The Fostering Futures Act is a legislative initiative supported by the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children (Committee on Children)...
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and State Leaders to Speak at Press Conference Highlighting the Shared Mission of Protecting Children and Strengthening Families Columbia, S.C. —In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, state house leaders and child...