South Carolina

The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) is authorized by recurring budget provision (103) and various statutes (§44-6-170) to collect and integrate data at the state level. The budget provision gives RFA the authority to maintain MOUs with the majority of state agencies and the authority to execute additional ones. Since 1975, the office has helped improve government efficiency, enhance outcomes for residents, and reduce disparities through the integration of data across policy domains and data sources, as well as agencies and departments. The agency has a staff of approximately 75, composed of analysts, statisticians, epidemiologists, database administrators, web developers, GIS analysts, economists, surveyors, and project and program managers.

The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office maintains an integrated data system, a data warehouse that links data from individuals being served by more than 20 state agencies and other organizations. This system has facilitated program improvement efforts and numerous research studies, including a randomized controlled trial (RCT) as a part of the state’s Pay for Success initiative to improve outcomes for low-income mothers and their babies. South Carolina has continued to expand its evaluations, including an RCT on the impact of Managed Care Organizations. In 2020, the state shared its updated report on how it would utilize the integrated data system to support COVID-19 Response.

South Carolina First Steps administers the Resources for Early Acceleration and Development in Youth (READY) Grant to Sustain and Expand Effective Programs Serving Children and Families. This grant program funds kindergarten readiness services for children aged birth through 3 years old who live in rural communities. A minimum of 75% of the available funding is reserved for evidence-based programs, as defined by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act.