Institute for Child Success

10/09/2026

On October 1, we hosted our first curated conversation around the intersection of early childhood and artificial intelligence. We had an exciting mix of researchers, policy makers, grantors, tech advocates, and parents in the room for a vibrant discussion of the issues at hand. Rising to the top were excitement of the potential that artificial intelligence can bring, hesitation over the misuse of this untested technology, and a broad consensus that a common agenda for early childhood and artificial intelligence is a critical (albeit newly needed) component of child success!

10/08/2026

😃 Did you hear?!

Greenville Journal published an article on ICS.

Jamie Moon, president and CEO of the Institute for Child Success, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto on Sept. 16.

10/07/2026

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of South Carolina Demonstration Project.

Deadline: October 15.

Comments are requested regarding South Carolina's SNAP "junk food ban" demonstration project. The state waiver request was approved in September 2025 for intended implementation beginning August 31, 2026. A District Court ruling in July 2026 stopped the implementation of similar bans in several states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture asked the state to pause implementation while they collect public comment on the issue. The change comes against a backdrop of several major changes to SNAP at the federal level which will increase state share of the program's funding while also reducing enrollment.

There is no solid evidence that the restrictions will improve healthy eating habits as intended, and advocates also worry it will introduce implementation challenges for retailers.

Leave your comment here:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FNA-2026-0311-0004

10/01/2026

Jamie Moon, ICS’s President and CEO, was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.

It recognizes extraordinary lifetime achievement, service, and contributions of statewide or national significance to South Carolina. Jamie dedicated the award to the ICS Board and staff for their role in helping children and families over the past 16 years.

Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gXgwvZeW

09/30/2026

16 Years Strong

16 years of showing up.
16 years of working together.
16 years of believing in what’s possible.
We’re grateful for every partner who has been part of the journey.

09/30/2026

If you are passionate about early childhood education, teacher empowerment, and driving instructional excellence, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

We are expanding our team and currently have 4K Coach vacancies available across multiple South Carolina counties: Anderson, Berkeley, Darlington, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Lexington, Richland, Pickens, and Spartanburg.

What You Will Do:

Mentor and Empower: Provide high-impact, continuous coaching to early childhood educators, modeling "gold standard" CLASS-driven instructional strategies.
Drive Quality: Guide teachers in implementing effective classroom organization, emotional support, and data-informed lesson planning.
Collaborate for Impact: Partner with regional teams and site leaders to foster a culture of continuous quality improvement across the First Steps 4K program.

Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eUjkeFXH

09/28/2026

🧠 For the first time in human history, there’s technology capable of mimicking the human interactions that wire a child’s brain for language, literacy, and lifelong learning.

💜 AI can read bedtime stories, carry on conversations, answer endless questions — so many of the roles that used to require a loving, present grown-up.

Read our latest blog highlighting the amazing pediatric surgeon and best-selling author, Dana Suskind, M.D. perspective on AI in early childhood.

https://www.instituteforchildsuccess.org/parents-deserve-ai-guidance/

09/23/2026

The People Behind the Work

The work is important.
And the people behind the work make it possible.
Today, we celebrate the partners who have helped carry this mission forward for 16 years.

Thank you.



Spartanburg Academic Movement Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy Palmetto Shared Services Alliance Spartanburg Regional Prisma Health AnMed Kincaid Retirement & Wealth Management, LLC

09/22/2026

🙏🏽 Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating at the Sweet 16 Gala!

With approximately 250 people in attendance, the Gala was an incredible celebration of 16 years of ICS and the impact we have had together on children and families across the country.

The enthusiasm, energy, and pride everyone brought to the events were a wonderful reflection of the organization we have all built together. ICS was proud to share that our Sweet 16 Campaign has raised, to date, $1.6 million dollars to support our continued work in support of young children and families.

Jamie Moon, ICS's President and CEO, was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.

It recognizes extraordinary lifetime achievement, service, and contributions of statewide or national significance to South Carolina. We would like to extend a special thank you to the organizations and individuals who helped sponsor this special event.

09/22/2026

We’re just about ONE MONTH away from the 3rd Annual Housing Innovation: Children’s Edition (HICE) Summit! 🏠💗

We’re so excited to bring advocates, community members, policymakers, and partners from across South Carolina together for another year of conversations about housing and its impact on young children and families.

🎟️ Tickets are still available, and we have a limited number of scholarships remaining!

Join us on Friday, October 23 at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia. We can’t wait to see you there!

Register today by using this link https://HICE2026.eventbrite.com or by scanning the QR code.