Children's Trust of South Carolina

"South Carolina, with a population of 5.3 million people, has an estimated 450,000 lacking internet access. For our state to be successful, this divide must be – and is being – treated as a major public policy issue. Lack of internet access is not simply about the ability to stream entertainment and shop online. Lack of access can preclude individuals from accessing career and educational opportunities and mental and physical health resources, and it makes community development and revitalization efforts Herculean. As such, ensuring access to reliable, high-speed internet is one of the most defining public policy measures of our time and one for which the State of South Carolina is working hard to obtain for all its citizens." 📄 Read our latest Policy Forum by Brenton Brown, chief of staff at South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. The Policy Forum is a monthly guest column that takes an in-depth look at policy areas that impact children and families. Go to bit.ly/4c11MsT! #ChampionsForChildren

Our team recently enjoyed volunteering at Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia! 💚 Harvest Hope is an important community resource to know about, whether you're looking for food, a place to donate food, or a place to volunteer. There are locations in the Upstate, Midlands and Pee Dee regions. Concrete supports like food are essential to family well-being. #ChampionsForChildren

We want to give a huge thank you to our Building Hope for Children Conference sponsors! We appreciate their contributions and commitment to South Carolina's child-serving professionals and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. We're thrilled the conference is sold out, and we expect an incredible group of over 400 attendees, two keynote speakers and 20+ workshop sessions next month in Greenville! #ChampionsForChildren

We’re excited to launch a new monthly email specifically curated for professionals serving children and families in South Carolina! This newsletter will include resources, events and trainings to help you on your professional journey and connect with your peers across the state. Sign up at bit.ly/CTSCNews! 📥 #ChampionsForChildren

Let us introduce Takia S. Daniels, a member of our statewide parent advisory council! 💙 She is one of 12 parents and caregivers from across South Carolina who work with us to improve our prevention programs and services, and guide statewide initiatives that build child and family well-being. Takia is a mom to her busy 8-year-old son and a therapeutic foster parent in the Pee Dee region. She comes to the inaugural parent advisory council as an experienced Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) practitioner. We recently asked her a few questions! What is your favorite part of parenting❓ “My favorite part of parenting is our family fun days. Life can be stressful, even for kids. This gives us all some time to let our hair down and enjoy time together. I love watching the smile on my son’s face, the way he laughs and even how excited he becomes when he discovers something new.“ What is your parenting superpower❓ “Unconditional love. I believe that this has proven to be my superpower because my son, along with the other children that come in our home, knows that through their challenges and mistakes, I’m going to love them through it all." If you could talk to yourself as a new parent, what would you tell yourself❓ “If I could talk to myself as a new parent, I would say give yourself grace and make sure to take time out for yourself because you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Learn more about the parent advisory council at bit.ly/4ckXQUQ!

Home visiting in the Lowcountry 💙 Our marketing manager, Tina Applebee, recently joined MUSC Health home visitors Hope Singleton and Marta Stewart during their workday serving families. Tina shared: "It was really eye-opening to see the care and trust that Hope and Marta have developed with the families they serve. They provided care, patience and time to make sure the moms were getting the help they needed—whether that was for their children's health, financial assistance or having someone to talk to about the struggles and joys of raising a young child. It was really inspiring to be a part of. Healthy Families America has great people implementing their program in the Lowcountry." Local home visiting programs assist families by pairing them with health, social service, and child development professionals. Through regular home visits, parents get support to improve their family’s health and provide better opportunities for their children. We are proud to be South Carolina’s lead agency for the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) federal grant. #ChampionsForChildren

Join us to learn about home visiting in South Carolina this Thursday, July 11 at 10 a.m. on Zoom! 💙 Our home visiting team will highlight the basics of the evidence-based program. We'll dive into how it benefits children and families, the different delivery models, and Children’s Trust's role in the state. 🏠 Home visiting is a service delivery strategy that improves the health and well-being of children and their families. This training is ideal for case managers, social workers, early childcare providers, parents, foster parents and anyone interested in learning more about home visiting in South Carolina. Register at bit.ly/3WeNDUf! #ChampionsForChildren

We are thrilled that the fiscal year 2024-2025 state budget includes $500,000 to Children’s Trust for home visiting services! Evidence shows that voluntary home visiting programs prevent child abuse and neglect, lower maternal and infant mortality and improve overall health outcomes. We look forward to helping more families across the state with these dollars. Thank you to the General Assembly and Governor Henry McMaster for including these needed funds in the budget.

Job seekers: Here's an exciting part-time opportunity from one of our partners in Newberry! #ChampionsForChildren

We’re thrilled Charles W. Calhoun has joined our team! 🎉 As grants development coordinator, Charles develops and promotes processes that support the organization and execution of grants, identifies new funding sources and stewards relationships with existing funders. Please join us in welcoming him! bit.ly/3xqQYpE | #ChampionsForChildren