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...
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...
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:...
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)...
Together at the S.C. Statehouse, Children's Trust CEO Sue Williams stands with Jerry Milner, co-founder and director of Family Justice Group and Tony Catone, SCDSS state director. Jerry Milner, a lifelong social worker and national leader in child welfare...
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 Sarah Knox, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy Every fall, the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children holds public hearing meetings around the state to listen to the concerns and ideas from people regarding a wide range of children’s issues. As in...
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 BirthMatters South Carolina faces a devastating maternal health emergency. With a maternal mortality rate of 47.2 per 100,000 live births in 2021, significantly above the national rate of 32.9, the state ranks 8th highest nationally for maternal deaths. Almost 90%...
By Brie HuntSenior Director of Policy Initiatives at South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health This spring, the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health (IMPH) released its newest taskforce report exploring opportunities to...
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...