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Committee on Children

We believe how we treat children is the most accurate indicator of our state's future.

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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.

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Meet the members who serve on the Committee on Children below.

Appointed by the President of the Senate

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The Honorable Brad Hutto
State Senator
District 40 - Orangeburg

Serving on the Committee since 2010

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The Honorable Katrina Shealy
State Senator
District 23 - Lexington

Serving on the Committee since 2017

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The Honorable Mike Reichenbach
State Senator
District 31 - Florence

Serving on the Committee since 2023

About Us: Team Members

Appointed by the Governor

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Mr. W. Derek Lewis,
Greenville

Serving on the Committee since 2012

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Dr. Kay Phillips, Ph.D., LISW,
Summerville

Serving on the Committee since 2017

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Mrs. Bronwyn McElveen,
Sumter

Serving on the Committee since 2022

Appointed by the Speaker of the House

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The Honorable Beth Bernstein
State Representative
District 78 - Columbia

Serving on the Committee since 2017

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The Honorable Paula Calhoon
State Representative
District 87 - Lexington

Serving on the Committee since 2023

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The Honorable Raye Felder
State Representative
District 26 - York

Serving on the Committee since 2022

Ex Officio

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Michael Leach, Director -
Department of Social Services

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L. Eden Hendrick, Director - Department of Juvenile Justice

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Robert Bank, MD, Director - Department of Mental Health

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Ellen Weaver, State Superintendent of Education

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Constance Holloway, Interim Director -
Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

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Sara Goldsby, Director -
Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

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Edward Simmer, M.D.
Director - 
Department
of Health and Environmental Control

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Robert Kerr, Director -
Department of Health and Human Services

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Georgia Mjartan, Executive Director -
SC First Steps

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Amanda Whittle, State Child Advocate, Director-
Department of Children's Advocacy

Committee Staff

Morgan Maxwell, MSW, J.D. 
Legislative Resource Attorney
Contact: (803)777-4350
MorganMMaxwell@sc.edu

Dr. Liyun Zhang, Ph.D. 
Research Scientist
Contact: (803)777-1226
Zhang349@mailbox.sc.edu

Chase Bailey, M.Ed. 
Statistical and Research Analyst
Contact: (803)777-5506
c
wb4@email.sc.edu

Shealy Reibold, J.D.
Senior Resource Attorney

Contact: (803)777-1979
Shea
lyReibold@sc.edu

Children's Law Center Leadership

L. Michelle Dhunjishah, J.D.,

Director

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