SC child advocates present plan on early childhood

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Advocates for children in South Carolina have released proposals to improve the lives of the state’s youngest citizens.

The groups include the Children’s Trust, United Way and the Institute for Child Success. Their suggestions involve children up to five years old.

Among many proposals, the group suggests expanding home visits for first-time mothers. They support a state income tax credit for low-wage workers to help them pay for child care. And they want the state to hire more social workers to help them check on the quality of child care providers.

The group is sending the suggestions to lawmakers in the General Assembly.

In July, the Kids Count survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found South Carolina ranks 45th in the nation in the well-being of its children.