Today, Family Connection of South Carolina became the tenth member of the South Carolina Coalition for Safer Schools. The addition of a tenth member organization marks an important milestone in the Coalition’s continuing efforts to bring together a diverse and broad group of associations committed to addressing both in-school and out-of-school factors related to the safety of children in schools and communities across the state.
Family Connection’s participation in the Coalition for Safer Schools is significant given the central importance of families in the work to improve child well-being in South Carolina. For more than thirty years, Family Connection has been serving families of children with disabilities and chronic health conditions by providing education, support, and resources. Last year, the statewide organization served more than 5,000 families—a 44% increase from the previous year.
In explaining the decision to join the Coalition for Safer Schools, Family Connection Chief Executive Officer Amy Holbert stated “We are pleased to join the Coalition in our work to raise awareness and promote inclusion for children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs. When creating new policies, students with disabilities should not be overlooked. Involving families and youth in the decision-making process improves the health and safety of schools and communities across the state. Family Connection looks forward to working with members of the Coalition and elected officials to ensure South Carolina’s students achieve their full potential.”
The Coalition for Safer Schools welcomes other associations to join in the collaborative work of advancing childhood wellness and safety and South Carolina through local, state, and federal policy actions. Learn more about the Coalition and the School Safety Agenda.