Consensus can be hard to come by in policy making, but a recent report finds an area where many can agree: the importance of supporting early childhood brain development.
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment examined how South Dakota policy makers make decisions on early childhood issues in its recent survey.
The survey is based on a similar report conducted in Texas but adapted to reflect South Dakota’s political structure. Darla Biel is the assistant director of the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment and one of the authors of the report.
“We know that in South Dakota there is a lot of work being done in cities and counties as well, and we wanted to expand the potential participant pool," she explained. "So, we expanded it to not only state legislators but also elected city and county officials.”
Despite the expanded pool, the response rate was limited.
“There were 31 total participants," said Biel, "and that, you know, just isn’t a lot when we think about the number of elected officials at the state, local and county level.”
Even with the limited responses, Biel said the survey yielded some useful information—and highlighted areas of consensus.
“Both parties overwhelmingly said that prenatal care, children’s health care, and strong relationships with caregivers are essential for healthy brain development," she said. "It also came out that they want more local data to help them make decisions, and local stories about the impact of investments into early childhood brain development.”
Respondents differed on the level of responsibility local government plays in supporting early childhood development.
The full report is available online. The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment will offer the survey again to state lawmakers during Children’s Week at the Capitol. That falls in the second week of the upcoming legislative session in January.
