South Carolina Early Childhood Common Agenda

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South Carolina Early Childhood Common Agenda

Early Childhood Common Agenda — a South Carolina coalition of hundreds of advocates advancing public policy that supports young children & families.

A project by the Institute for Child Success

08/10/2026

When families can afford a safe place to call home, children have a stronger foundation to learn, grow, and thrive. 🏠

During our meeting with Senator Tim Scott's team in Greenville 📍, ECCA advocates discussed housing priorities, including the recently passed ROAD to Housing Act, an important step toward increasing the nation's housing supply and improving housing affordability.

Every conversation helps move important issues forward. Thank you to 's staff for meeting with our coalition. 🤝

08/07/2026

More than 120 community members joined us in Greenville for our final Housing Listening Session this summer, with 20+ individuals sharing testimony about the housing challenges and solutions facing their communities. 🏘️🗣️

One story that stayed with us came from Dawn, who shared her experience of homelessness as a single mother raising three young sons before affordable housing and stable employment changed the trajectory of her family's future. Because of that stability, her children remained in the same schools, graduated, and are now thriving adults in our community. Stories like Dawn's remind us that housing is more than a roof overhead. It's the foundation that helps children and families thrive. 💜

Thank you to our bipartisan listening panel for taking the time to hear directly from community members.

Left to right: Deborah DePaoli, Institute for Child Success (Moderator); Will Turner, South Carolina Children's Committee; Representative Paul Wickensimer; Senator Jason Elliott; Robert McDonald, South Carolina Housing; Todd Latiff, South Carolina Housing; Senator Rex Rice; Representative Chandra Dillard; and Representative Neal Collins.

08/06/2026

At Representative Sheri Biggs' office in Anderson, high school student and ECCA advocate Harrison reminded us that some of the most powerful voices in advocacy are those with lived experience.

Harrison shared his personal experience growing up with dyslexia 📚 and how access to the educational resources and support he needed helped him succeed. His story highlighted the importance of helping every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Thank you to Congresswoman Sheri Biggs' staff for taking the time to meet with our coalition and hear directly from advocates. 🤝

08/05/2026

Continuing our summer advocacy tour across South Carolina, ECCA advocates met with Representative Ralph Norman's team in Rock Hill 📍 to discuss federal priorities impacting South Carolina's youngest children and their families.

Child care 👶 and housing 🏠 were the primary focus of our conversation. Advocate Vivian shared how continued federal investments help keep child care programs open, expand access in rural communities, and support working families. We also discussed how child care and housing are often a family's two largest expenses, making both essential to family stability and economic opportunity.

Thank you to 's staff for taking the time to meet with our coalition and discuss issues impacting South Carolina's children and families. 🤝

07/09/2026

P*e Dee Housing Listening Session | Florence

"I'm here today because someone believed in me when I had nowhere else to turn."
— Gretchen S. (Former foster youth)

After losing her mother at 14 and experiencing repeated housing instability while in foster care, Gretchen shared how stable housing and independent living support helped her pursue her college education and build an independent future.

Her story was one of many shared by community members whose lived experiences will help inform future housing policy conversations across South Carolina.

Thank you to everyone who courageously shared their stories, and to Representative Carla Schuessler, Senator Jeffrey Graham, Senator Overture Walker, Robert McDonald (SC Housing), and Brittany Roberts (JCLCC) for listening and engaging in these important conversations.

07/07/2026

Florence | Congressional In-District Meeting

One of the most meaningful parts of advocacy is discovering how connected we really are.

During our visit to Senator Lindsey Graham's Florence office, conversations about housing, quality child care, and family supports became conversations about personal experiences, shared challenges, and the hopes we all have for South Carolina's children.

These moments remind us that meaningful relationships are built by listening, learning from one another, and finding common ground.

Thank you for welcoming ECCA advocates and for a thoughtful conversation!

07/05/2026

Sumter | Congressional In-District Meeting

For many South Carolina families with young children, housing and child care are two of their largest monthly expenses. That's why ECCA advocates are meeting with South Carolina's federal delegation this summer to discuss policies that help children and families thrive.

We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Quadri Bell and the team in Representative Jim Clyburn's Sumter office to discuss ECCA's federal priorities.

🔗 There's still time to join us at an upcoming Congressional In-District Meeting! Register here: https://forms.gle/kWenn1ECpNkQPNecA

07/03/2026

Midlands Housing Listening Session | Sumter

"The majority of our students experiencing homelessness are living in shared housing because their parents were evicted, lost employment, experienced a medical crisis, or simply could no longer afford rising housing costs." - Social Worker

More than 90 community members joined us in Sumter for our second Housing Listening Session to share their experiences and recommendations directly with elected officials.

Thank you to Representative David Weeks, Representative Carla Schuessler, Representative Annie McDaniel, Senator Russell Ott, Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, Senator Jeff Zell, Senator Jeffrey Graham, Mayor Julia Nelson, Robert McDonald (SC Housing), and Brittany Roberts (JCLCC) for taking the time to listen.

Every story shared helps shape future housing policy conversations for South Carolina children and families.

07/02/2026

Charleston | Congressional In-District Meeting

This summer, ECCA advocates are meeting with South Carolina's federal delegation in their local offices to discuss the issues that matter most to young children and families.

We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with staff in Representative Nancy Mace's Charleston office to discuss ECCA's federal priorities, including:
• Affordable, quality child care
• Safe and stable housing
• Nutrition and food security
• Parent and family supports

We'll continue meeting with congressional offices across South Carolina throughout July, and we'd love to have you join us!

🔗 Register for an upcoming Congressional Meetings here: https://forms.gle/FUeY7GqkSckkc6TEA

06/29/2026

Our first Housing Listening Session in North Charleston brought together more than 80 community members.

Thank you to everyone who attended, testified, and listened. We are especially grateful to Senator Sean Bennett, Representative Courtney Waters, Representative Gary Brewer, Robert McDonald (SC Housing), Charles Prickett (Senator Jeff Zell's Office), and Will Turner (Children's Committee) for taking the time to hear directly from community members.

One testimony reminded us why these conversations matter:

"Schools cannot solve this crisis on our own. When families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, children are more likely to attend school consistently, succeed academically, and build the relationships and routines to help them thrive." - Ridge W., School Teacher

These conversations are helping shape future housing policy discussions across South Carolina, and we're just getting started.

Address

Columbia, SC
29201

Website

https://www.instituteforchildsuccess.org/our-initiatives/initiative/sc-ecca/

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