The state of South Carolina is one of four jurisdictions nationwide chosen to participate in the first tier of a cutting-edge national initiative that aims to move child welfare systems from traditional, reactive child protection systems to advanced systems designed to support holistic child and family well-being while preventing child maltreatment and unnecessary family separation.

This first-of-its-kind partnership – Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being – is a program developed by the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Prevent Child Abuse America. Tenets of the new concept will seek involvement from stakeholders to work across the public, private and philanthropic sectors to help South Carolina create more just and equitable systems to break harmful multi-generational cycles of trauma and poverty to benefit all children and families. The partnership in South Carolina is being led by the S.C. Department of Social Services (SC DSS) with Children’s Trust of South Carolina as the primary partner. 

Our September newsletter also includes updates on new board member Dr. Jaye Goosby Smith, the Strengthening Families Program, filling out the U.S. Census, recent recognition for staff members Eric Bellamy and Dr. Aditi Srivastav Bussells, and the addition of new staff member Jacqulynn Martinez.

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