Kerrie L. Schnake, MA, is a ZERO TO THREE Fellow. She is the Director of the South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care (SCPITC) at Medical University of South Carolina.
She established SCPITC in 2006 for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Prior to moving to the state, Ms. Schnake worked in California at WestEd’s Program for Infant/Toddler Care as a Program Administrator and Research Assistant.
Ms. Schnake is a leader in South Carolina’s infant/toddler quality initiatives and engages in multiple cross-state collaborations. She is currently guiding South Carolina’s efforts to strengthen the infant–early childhood mental health workforce by integrating policies and systems that promote use of IECMH Competency Guidelines and Endorsement. As part of that work, Ms. Schnake was central to the creation of the South Carolina Association for Infant Mental Health, where she now sits on the Board of Directors. She also serves on multiple committees supporting the health, safety, and well-being of young children, including the Governor’s Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Child Care Facilities, CAPTA Citizens Review Panel, QRIS Advisory Team, and Scale Down.
Ms. Schnake has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to infant/toddler care and development. Ms. Schnake holds a BA in Sociology from Cal State, East Bay and an MA in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Public Administration from San Francisco State University.
