The Institute for Child Success to announce advocacy coalition’s early childhood common agenda for 2023-2024 legislative session
January 11, 2023
On Saturday, January 21, the Institute for Child Success, an early childhood organization, will gather other child-serving nonprofits and family advocates at the State House in Columbia, SC from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Alongside our statewide partners, including lead allies Save the Children Action Network and the South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association, we will announce 10 legislative priority policies for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session.
The Early Childhood Common Agenda (ECCA) exists to present a unified front on matters related to early childhood health, education, and family well-being to policymakers in SC. The ECCA is led by a coalition of dozens of advocates dedicated to improving the outcomes for young children (ages 0 through 5) and their families. In past years, dozens of organizations have signed on to the ECCA resulting in huge wins at the SC State House (4K expansion, Earned Income Tax Credit, and more). This session, we’re expanding to include family members and caregivers of children, and provider and community advocates.
Sheila Slaughter of Lexington is the grandmother of Kaloni, and she recently completed the Parents as Teachers home visiting program. She sees the importance of high-quality early childhood programs and when asked about the legislative priorities of the Early Childhood Common Agenda, Ms. Slaughter responded, “Change for children will come when all the ‘I’ becomes ‘WE.’ We are the ones who make a difference.”
We are on a mission to improve the lives of children and their families—from access to housing, nutrition, healthcare, child care and education, early intervention services, mental health support, and more. Our 10-point common agenda is based on the feedback we received from stakeholders at our ECCA forum last October. Attendees representing all regions of South Carolina heard compelling, lived experiences from agency and community advocates.
Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina said, “As a family-driven parent organization, we believe when families of children with disabilities are connected to support, resources, and access to early intervention services, they have the best chance to achieve equity across their experiences in education and health systems. Advancing recommendations within the Early Childhood Common Agenda will ensure our state’s youngest citizens have the best start in life.”
The press event is traditionally held once our policymakers convene a new legislative session; however, it was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s announcement on the 21st will feature a Spanish interpreter and is free to the public. We invite all who care about child advocacy to attend this momentous occasion.
Jamie Moon, the CEO of the Institute for Child Success remarked, “As we work for the success of all young children, we are pleased to bring together dozens of collaborative partners and family advocates. Together we are moving the needle to measurably improve outcomes for children.”
To learn more about the ECCA, visit ICS’s website at instituteforchildsuccess.org/scecca/. To find out about advocating on behalf of a child you love, contact Deborah DePaoli, ICS Palmetto Engagement & Policy Director at 864-287-8063, ext. 720.
About the Institute for Child Success
Launched in 2010, the Institute for Child Success (ICS) is a private, research and applied policy organization.
ICS works to create a culture that facilitates and fosters the success of all children. ICS supports policymakers, service providers, government agencies, funders, and business leaders focused on early childhood development, healthcare, and education–all to coordinate, enhance, and improve those efforts for the maximum effect in the lives of young children (prenatal to age eight). Rather than being a direct service provider, the Institute’s approach focuses on helping those who help young children succeed by working with stakeholders to seek holistic solutions to complex early childhood challenges.
