LATEST NEWS: January 2022- Happy New Year! We are excited to release our special edition data reference book that addresses the COVID-19 impact on children. The report is available under our Publications page under the Data Reference Books section. The first Children's Committee hearing will take place on February 1st at 9:00 a.m. in Blatt 110. The Committee currently has two vacancies for a citizen member and a House Representative member. We are hopeful that these positions will be filled by the Governor and Speaker of the House in the next few weeks. Our 2021 Public Hearing Testimony Report will be ready for distribution soon and we are looking forward to a productive new year of advocating for SC children.
Committee on Children
We believe how we treat children is the most accurate indicator of our state's future.
About the Committee
The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children is a consortium of appointed citizens, legislators, and agency directors charged with the critical responsibility of identifying and studying key issues facing South Carolina's children, then promoting sound strategies for the development of children's policy. The Committee makes recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to use in consideration of policy, funding, and legislation to benefit our children's future.
Meet the members who serve on the Committee on Children below.
Appointed by the President of the Senate
The Honorable Brad Hutto
State Senator
District 40 - Orangeburg
Serving on the Committee since 2010
The Honorable Darrell Jackson
State Senator
District 21 - Columbia
Serving on the Committee since 2010
The Honorable Katrina Shealy
State Senator
District 23 - Lexington
Serving on the Committee since 2017
Appointed by the Speaker of the House
The Honorable Beth Bernstein
State Representative
District 78 - Columbia
Serving on the Committee since 2017
The Honorable Neal Collins
State Representative
District 5 - Easley
Serving on the Committee since 2015
Appointed by the Governor
Mr. W. Derek Lewis,
Greenville
Serving on the Committee since 2012
Dr. Kay Phillips, Ph.D., LISW,
Summerville
Serving on the Committee since 2017
Ex Officio
Michael Leach, Director
Department of Social Services
L. Eden Hendrick, Director - Department of Juvenile Justice
Kenneth Rogers, MD, Director - Department of Mental Health
Molly M. Spearman, State Superintendent of Education
