GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 11, 2024) – The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) is partnering with a statewide nonprofit organization, Family Connection of South Carolina, to display pieces of Family Connection’s LOOK!™ Photography Exhibit. Family Connection serves families across South Carolina who have children with a disability or chronic health condition. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is the 7th largest children’s museum in the nation, dedicated to hands-on learning and play for children ages 0-12 and their families.The collection will be presented at a private reception on Saturday, April 27th at 9:00 a.m.at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate located at 300 College Street in Greenville. Remarks will be provided by Lauren Luneckas, CEO of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate and Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. The opening reception is an invitation only event. Any media interested in attending should reach out to Alison Storm, Marketing

Family Connection of South Carolina is seeking professionals to serve in volunteer leadership positions for their LOOK!™ and Buddy Walk fundraising events. Both events take place in the greater Columbia area. “For more than 30 years, Family Connection has provided support, training, outreach, and information to meet the individualized needs of families who are caring for a child or youth with a disability” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection. “Today, our services are needed more than ever, and all programs and services are provided at no cost to families” states Mrs. Holbert. LOOK! is a photography exhibit featuring photos of children and youth with a disability. Professional photographers volunteer to host photo sessions capturing candid moments of the child engaging in activities they enjoy. The photos are unveiled as a collection at an opening-night ceremony. The exhibit remains on display at the featured venue and travels to additional venues

On May 5, 2023, Governor Henry McMaster signed the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act into law. This new program allows qualifying South Carolina parents to apply for a scholarship worth $6,000. These scholarships may be used to create a customized, flexible education for their child, as outlined below. The South Carolina Department of Education administers the Education Scholarship Trust Fund and has contracted with Class Wallet for programmatic support and to manage the distribution of scholarship funds to participating families. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year opens on January 15, 2024, and closes on March 15, 2024. To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.classwallet.com/programs/southcarolinaestf/  To be eligible, students must: Students currently enrolled in a public charter school, home school, and students participating in the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children’s Fund program are not eligible for this scholarship program. What types of flexible education expenses are eligible? From SC Department of

Columbia, SC – Family Connection of South Carolina is partnering with Irmo Branch Library to display pieces of Family Connection’s LOOK! 2023 Photography Exhibit. Family Connection serves South Carolina families who have children with a disability or chronic health condition.  “We are honored to have this opportunity to bring pieces of our current LOOK! collection to the Irmo Branch Library! said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection. “These beautiful photos of the children and youth we serve represent Family Connection’s goals of creating inclusion, equity, and community.”  The photos were taken by professional photographers from across the state who volunteered their time to capture the participants in candid moments doing the things they like to do best. “We hope visitors to the library will take the time to view the photos and read the inspiring stories that accompany them,” added Amy Holbert.  “The Irmo Branch is thrilled to have some of the photos

A publication of NATIONAL CENTER ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES The Empowering Families Toolkit toolkit provides accessible materials for parents about topics related to assessment-related SSIPs and SIMRs. These materials are designed to help support their participation in stakeholder meetings. The toolkit includes short video clips and printed flyers. The materials are designed for dissemination through social media, state websites, and at meetings.