Welcome,
As the new program manager of the Early Childhood Advisory Council, I am working to fill the very large shoes of my predecessor, Cassie Barber. Cassie supported the work of the ECAC, had a large part in shepherding ECAC’s activities in the Preschool Development Grant, a multimillion dollar grant awarded to SC Department of Social Services (DSS) in 2020, and coordinated our last in-person conference, the 2019 Summit on Early Childhood. Cassie will be missed, but the important work of ECAC continues.
Since our last Council Briefs, the ECAC added three new members. Please join me in welcoming Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Interim Director Constance Holloway, Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Kerr and Department of Health and Environmental Control Director Dr. Edward Simmer.
Projects under the ECAC have also been active. Below are just a few updates:
Early childhood educators across the state took part in two professional development conferences, Baby Jam held February 26 (for professionals serving children birth through three) and the Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree held March 5 (for professionals educating 4-year-old children). Both virtual events offered top-notch professional development that focused on children's social-emotional health. Baby Jam had more than 300 participants logging on, and the Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree reached more than 1,300 preschool teachers, support staff, and administrators. Both were supported by the Preschool Development Grant, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with comments like,
"This has been the best virtual event so far this year! Thank you!"
"This was wonderful! Thank you for making others pay attention to Pre-K! It is so important."
A technical partner for First 5 SC was secured. The public portal will provide a single point of entry for families to find services provided by the member agencies of the ECAC and other providers. Work will begin to build a dynamic website that not only helps parents find services but also provide a simple way to determine eligibility and apply for those services. Read on for more on First 5 SC.
DSS and its partners, including ECAC, are wrapping up year one of the Preschool Development Grant. April 30 marks the beginning of year two. I look forward to sharing key accomplishments of year one and year two plans in our newsletter.
Wishing you a healthy spring,
ECAC advances a family-centered approach to early childhood services in the state Helping children thrive means ensuring that parents and caregivers have the resources and opportunities they need for their own economic security and well-being, as well as their children’s. In South Carolina and throughout the country, early childhood programs exist along a continuum of services ranging from child-focused to family-focused. When a program focuses equally and intentionally on services and opportunities for the whole family, it is called a two-generation or 2Gen approach. These programs lead to more positive outcomes for both children and their parents.
Working together through the Early Childhood Advisory Council, South Carolina's early childhood leaders are advancing new policies, programs, and approaches that will benefit whole families across our state. SC Family Voice Council: Voices for two-generation success To support these efforts, the ECAC will establish and support the SC Family Voice Council. The group will consist of 20 parents and caregivers of young children who have experience with public early childhood programs or services. They will be diverse in age, physical ability, race, ethnicity, household income, family size and type, geographic location, and education level. The group will come together monthly to share their experiences and feedback on issues so to enhance the delivery quality of services, and updates will be given on how their input is used by the program staff. Stipends for a one-year term will be available for members to honor their time and compensate them for personal costs associated with participation.
The ECAC is this year set to launch First 5 South Carolina, the state's first and only online portal to find publicly-funded early childhood services and resources in South Carolina. By answering a few questions, families and their advocates can locate services for children birth through five in their area. Services are provided by the member agencies of the Early Childhood Advisory Council and associated agencies. Together, we are helping children in South Carolina reach their highest potential by transforming the way families access publicly funded early childhood services.
Palmetto Pre-K supports transitions to kindergarten Palmetto Pre-K — the ECAC's statewide initiative for supporting 3- and 4-year-old children, their families and educators — is developing a comprehensive system plan to enhance parent engagement in the transition to kindergarten. With technical assistance and guidance provided by the Education Commission of the States, Palmetto Pre-K partner agencies are working together to identify supports and gaps around family engagement efforts for transition. The outcome of this effort will be the development of materials, supports, and navigational tools to increase available options and information for families.
We want to hear from you! What is currently available to support families in the kindergarten transition in your community or centers? If you would like more information about the transitions plan development or workgroup, please contact Rachal Hatton-Moore at rhatton@scfirststeps.org
Work has begun on the SC Early Learning Extension The momentum around the SC Early Learning Extension of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System continues. In late March, ECAC staff hosted a kick-off meeting with participating agencies and programs to begin refining the key questions to be answered using the integrated data and begin discussions around establishing a sustainable early childhood data governance infrastructure. Follow-up meetings will be scheduled with each program team to continue planning for implementation and use of the Early Learning Extension.
The early childhood data governance structure will initially be built with representation from the agencies and programs who agreed via the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems grant application to contribute data to the Early Learning Extension. The scaffolding will be built for the governing body to grow as additional data becomes available.
Tax season offers opportunity for South Carolinians to support our state's children As South Carolinians file their taxes this spring, they also have the opportunity to improve the lives of children. Here are three ways to designate a tax check-off contribution to children’s causes:
To make a contribution, fill out tax form I-330 and attach it to your state tax return forms. The I-330 form is available on the S.C. Department of Revenue website, sctax.org.
What's coming up?
Employment opportunities
If you would like to share an employment opportunity that serves children 0-5, please email the description and application link to info@earlychildhoodsc.org.
In case you missed it...
Did someone forward you this email? Sign up for yourself HERE. Please contact us with your updates, news stories, photos, virtual events/trainings, job openings, grant opportunities, etc. As we move toward a “new normal” and staying on course as we continue our essential work for children and families we look forward to including your news in future issues. We are so proud to be a part of the South Carolina early childhood community.
South Carolina's leadership working together to support families and help young children thrive |