1. “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.” President Abraham Lincoln Facing Facts Forum 2008

3. Facing Facts 2008 Public Forum Santee-Lynches Regional COG July 30, 2009

4. Facing Facts 2008 2006 The original tri-county report was completed by Santee- Lynches Regional COG and the United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties using the input of about 30 community and industrial leaders and concerned citizens who represented diverse segments of the three counties. 2008 Tri-county report Update (Facing Facts 2008) was completed. 2008 Separate Kershaw County report was completed as part of Facing Facts 2008 by Santee-Lynches Regional COG and the United Way of Kershaw County using the input of about 30 community and industrial leaders and concerned citizens who represented diverse segments of the county.

5. If we as a community know where it is we need to go: 1) We as a community need to also understand where we are now; and … 2) In the process, identify and commit together to overcome the barriers that prevent us from achieving our common goals.

6. Risk factors contributing to readiness gaps #1Disability: Primarily speech and language disorders, but also mental, emotional, vision, hearing and learning disabilities. (Cause: Mostly Genetic, Partly Environmental.) #2Emotional/Behavioral Problems: Lack all the following on standardized measurement in Kindergarten: Self-control, social problem-solving, interaction with others, and self-concept. (Cause: Mostly Environmental, Partly Genetic) #3Low Literacy Skills: Low vocabulary, language skills and literacy experiences developed primarily at home with family. A direct result generally of a mother without a diploma/GED. (Cause: All environmental) #4Poor: On Free Lunch (under 130% of poverty) Source: S.C. Kids Count 2009

7. For every 10 kids in S.C. 4 2.1 1.3 Below Basic in 5 th Grade Far Below Basic in 5 th Grade Number in Top-3 risk factors (Disability, Emotional/Behavioral Problems, Low Literacy Skills) 6 1.3 0.5 Below Basic in 5 th Grade Far Below Basic in 5 th Grade Number not having Top-3 risk factors (Disability, Emotional/Behavioral Problems, Low Literacy Skills) Source: S.C. Kids Count 2009

8. Source: S.C. DHEC, Division of Biostatistics, 2001-’07 data

9. Source: S.C. DHEC, Division of Biostatistics, 1997, 2003-’07 data

10. Impact of teen births & out-of-wedlock births Teen births: Very high risk of mothers not earning H.S. Diploma/GED, curtailing lifelong earnings potential Out-of-wedlock births: 1 in 3 mothers have less than H.S. Diploma/GED, curtailing lifelong earnings potential ------------- Significant economic strain – Family poverty, Medicaid dependent Poor levels of prenatal care received by mother Inadequate parenting skills (nurturance, discipline, teaching, language use for skill development) Child-care dependent – An additional barrier to parent’s employment, job training, and/or continuing education Children more likely to perform poorly in school (i.e. “at-risk” of not graduating), engage in criminal activity, and become teen/out-of-wedlock parents themselves

11. Source: U.S. Census 2000

12. AreaMinority children in single-parent families White children in single-parent families Clarendon53.2%17.9% Kershaw48.2%18.5% Lee51.6%18.1% Sumter49.0%17.3% STATE52.0%19.0% Source: U.S. Census 2000 Single-parent families – Who’s affected?

13. Single-parent families & poverty AreaChildren in single-parent families in poverty Children in married-couple families in poverty Clarendon42.7%11.5% Kershaw30.4%5.4% Lee39.9%9.0% Sumter36.6%7.2% STATE34.0%6.2% Source: U.S. Census 2000

14. Children 17-and-under in poverty Area Minority children in poverty White children in poverty Clarendon36.3%12.1% Kershaw30.8%10.3% Lee33.5%1.9% Sumter32.0%7.7% STATE31.9%9.4% Source: U.S. Census 2000

15. Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 2002-’06 data

16. 5-year summary of drug arrests in state by demographic (2002-’06) 45.8% African-American males 36.2% White males 11.0% White females 6.4% African-American females 0.5%Other races Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 2002-’06 data

17. WEIGHING THE COSTS INCARCERATION - VERSUS - EDUCATION 1 Adult Inmate1 Juvenile1 Studentincarcerated in statein stateIn State $44.98/day$190/day$22.35/day $16,462/year$34,200/year $8,159/year THE DIFFERENCES Adult Inmate/StudentJuvenile/Student Cost per day nearly doubleCost per day more than (1.77 times as expensive)seven times as expensive Sources: Fiscal 2008 current operational expenses from S.C. Department of Corrections, S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice, and S.C. Department of Education 1 Student educated in state $25.39/day $9,268/year

18. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970-2008 data

19. Source: U.S. Census 2000

20. United Way Common Good Forecaster www.liveunited.org/forecaster

22. CONSIDER THESE OPPORTUNITIES … America After the Recession “Think about the PC [laptops, cell phones], the kids who are growing up with this technology today are, most literally, having their brains wired by it. And your 20s are the most productive period for genius. We have barely begun to see the kinds of changes that are coming.” Rick Newman US News and World Report – March 2009

23. Market Commentary “Where has all the money that has been taken out of the stock market gone? A big piece of it is in the money market funds. According to the latest data released by the FED on January 2, 2009 there is $3.2 trillion in retail and institutional money funds…” “As the economy stabilizes and earnings recover, money markets have the potential to be a tremendous tailwind for financial markets.” Scott & Stringfellow Private Client Insight – Winter 2009

25. REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS Successful Interaction Among 3 Key Community Components Is Required to Generate Constructive Change:  At-large community’s willingness to embrace constructive change  State and local public officials’ responsiveness to the community’s desire for constructive change  Openness to redesign and delivery of pivotal programs and services; monitor outcomes

26. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW? There is a clear need for a diversity of champions to lead our regional community in changing its present paradigm: – Black, Hispanic, and White Citizens – Men, Women, and Youth – Young and Old – Low Income and Wealthy

27. WHERE TO START?  As a volunteer champion, know and understand both the short- and long-term significance of the current numbers and trends.  As an important community component – determine to positively affect the climate of public opinion.  Network and sustain a dialogue with both non- elected and elected community leadership – agreement to support essential community values and necessary changes.

28. IN CLOSING …  Your time investment and comments here will be honored with a summary report of your individual table discussions.  A process-steering committee has been organized to help interpret and guide the community forum process.  Future forums will help improve returns back to the community of essential information needed to re-evaluate priorities.

29. Facing Facts 2008 reports and tonight’s presentation are available for download on our Web site: www.santeelynchescog.org