Urge South Carolina Lawmakers to Invest in Kids This Legislative Session
Send a welcome message today to your state lawmakers and remind them to keep kids a priority this legislative session.
South Carolinans overwhelmingly support investing in our kids, and especially early education.
This is key because research shows the first five years of children’s lives are critically important for their development. We’re committed to ensuring all children succeed in school and life.
Send a welcome message today to your state lawmakers and remind them to keep kids a priority this legislative session.
Save the Children Action Network is thrilled with the South Carolina state budget, released today, which historically expands the state’s public four-year-old kindergarten program. Before today’s announcement, only four-year-olds residing in low-income school districts could access publicly funded 4K. But, now, all South Carolina four-year-olds from income-eligible families can enroll, no matter where they live.
Save the Children is pleased to endorse the bipartisan Summer Meals Alternative Relief and Transportation (SMART) Act being introduced in Congress today by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The SMART Act would ensure children in rural communities and other hard-to-reach areas have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school meals are not accessible. Currently, at the end of the school year, only 14 percent of eligible low-income children receive meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), often because they cannot access meal distribution sites due to distance or lack of transportation. The SMART Act would work to address this by establishing an alternate food distribution service option, direct home delivery.
Deborah Merrill DePaoli is the South Carolina State Manager for Save the Children Action Network (SCAN). This winter, she spoke with Erin Live on the Air about SCAN's work to help children in the U.S. and around the world survive and thrive.
Hafeezah Yates
State Manager, South Carolina
Hafeezah Yates a Charleston, SC native is a lifelong advocate for children. She has served in many different capacities serving children and families in South Carolina. Hafeezah knows the importance of supporting early childhood experiences. Hafeezah a single mom of two, has a Master’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Capella University. She has a background in community outreach, family services, and victim advocacy. Hafeezah looks forward to amplifying the voices of children and families in South Carolina.
Email Hafeezah at [email protected].