United Way Association of South Carolina
2007 Public Policy Agenda
The Association is assuming a leadership role in the statehouse, before the administration, and the human services sector, proactively lobbying and bringing visibility and voice. We are also devoting significant resources to research, policy development, grassroots organization and aggressive advocacy on these issues.
2-1-1
- After successful completion of regional pilots (Aiken, Greenville, Columbia) and emergency response demo, seek legislative support for 2-1-1 service throughout South Carolina
- Create a governing structure for 2-1-1 and linkages among the current 2-1-1 call centers, Emergency Management and Department of Health and Environmental Control
Early Education
- Advocate for a voluntary quality rating system for child care providers
- The South Carolina Early Childhood Quality Standards Task Force, headed by South Carolina First Steps and the United Way Association of South Carolina, released its preliminary report to the Governor and the General Assembly. That report called for:
- Creating a Quality Based Incentive System (QBIS) for the state’s early care and education providers and the South Carolina families who access their services. Begin by implementing incentives that support provider participation and advancement within the state’s current three level quality program
- Providing consumer tools which allow South Carolina families to locate and access quality early childhood services
- Integrate existing resources for providers in order to better promote and support increased quality in early childhood setting
- Advocate for expansion of the 4 year-old-kindergarten program that was created in 2006
Medicaid and child’s health insurance programs
- Partner with other organizations advocating an increase in the state tax on cigarettes in order to help fund Medicaid and insure children’s health coverage
Homelessness and Affordable housing
- Partner with other organizations, including United Way of the Midlands and the Affordable Housing Coalition, in legislative initiatives addressing homelessness and affordable housing
Adult Literacy and high school graduation
- Partner with others (State Chamber, DOE) to support sustained funding of the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) and creation of comprehensive adult literacy programs that provide workforce certification
