Advocacy

Many children in South Carolina are dependent on public funding for essential services such as healthcare or food. In 2009, nearly one-quarter of the state's children lived at the poverty level. South Carolina's children have too few resources, and this is evident in our state's Kids Count 2011 ranking. South Carolina ranks 45th overall of the 50 states ranked on measures of well-being for children.
To view the complete report and rankings on individual measures, click here.

Nearly half of children live in households under 200% of the federal poverty level making them eligible for the state's Medicaid or CHIP program. Although children represent the bulk of enrollment in South Carolina's Medicaid program, the cost of providing Medicaid to a child is less than half the cost of providing it to an adult. In 2007, Kaiser Family Foundation noted that Medicaid spending per enrollee was $2,036 per child vs. the $4,146 cost for an adult.
For more information about Medicaid spending and enrollment in South Carolina, click here.

Children need advocates to ensure that their unique needs are adequately represented when state budgets and public policies are developed. This advocacy can occur at the state or at the federal level.

State Government:

Find Your State Legislators
South Carolina General Assembly
South Carolina Government Search Engine (SC.Gov )
Governor's Office

State Agencies Providing Children's Services
SC Department of Health and Human Services (Medicaid)
SC Department of Disabilities & Special Needs
SC Department of Social Services
SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
SC Department of Mental Health
SC First Steps & Babynet
SC Department of Education
SC Department of Juvenile Justice

Federal Government - Legislative:

Senator Lindsey Graham, [R-SC]
290 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Tel: (202) 224-5972
Website
Email

Senator Jim DeMint, [R-SC]
167 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-6121
Website
Email

Representative Tim Scott, [ 1st District, R-SC ]
1117 Longworth HOB
Washington D.C. 20510
Tel: (202) 225-3176
Website
Email

Representative Joe Wilson, [2nd District, R-SC]
2229 Rayburn HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-2452
Website
Email

Representative Jeff Duncan, [3rd District, R-SC]
116 Cannon HOB
Washington D. C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-5301
Website
Email

Representative Trey Gowdy, [4th District, R-SC ]
1237 Longworth HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-6030
Website
Email

Representative Mick Mulvaney, [5th District, R-SC]
1004 Longworth HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-5501
Website
Email

Representative James Clyburn, [6th District, D-SC]
2135 Rayburn HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-3315
Website
Email

Advocacy

State Government:

Federal Government - Legislative:

Federal Government Links: