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...
By Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann In Columbia, South Carolina, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring every resident has access to fresh, nutritious food. Addressing food insecurity isn’t just about...
By Bailey VincettDirector of Government Relations at Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce The childcare crisis isn't just a family issue—it’s a two-generation workforce challenge affecting both parents and children. Without affordable and accessible childcare, parents...
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....
By Able SC A few weeks ago the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated its 34th birthday. The ADA remains the landmark legislation that, when signed, President George Bush proclaimed, “let this shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.” Since...
By Brenton Brown, Chief of Staff for the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs In the early to mid-1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs were his administration’s attempts to counteract the economic despair inflicted on the United States...
By the S.C. Department of Social Services The Department of Social Services (DSS) recognizes and honors the month of June as Family Reunification Month to raise awareness and celebrate the work put into strengthening families. During the month, DSS recognizes families...
By Senator Brad HuttoChair of the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children Senator Brad Hutto New threats to children’s safety and well-being emerge every day, particularly online where the line between reality and fiction is rapidly disappearing. The...
Amanda Whittle By Amanda F. Whittle, J.D., CWLSChair of the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee It hasn’t been business as usual for the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee (SCFAC) for the past 12 months. When I accepted the role as Chair of the committee in...
By Senator Ross TurnerSenate Chair, Special Joint Committee to Study Childcare, and Bob Morgan, President & CEO, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Senator Ross Turner, Senate Chair, Special Joint Committee to Study Childcare and Bob Morgan, President & CEO,...
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 health,...
By Courage First Athlete Helpline I am an athlete counselor on the Courage First Athlete Helpline, as well as a crisis counselor with Childhelp’s National Child Abuse Hotline. I am also a former soccer player and coach. Over the years, I have spent time speaking in...