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Thankful Together: Family Fun & Stress-Free Tips

This Thanksgiving, focus on gratitude, family, and balance. Keep routines like regular meal and sleep times to reduce stress, and encourage kids to express thanks through fun activities. Set up a quiet space for breaks and practice sharing and manners. Remember, it’s about quality time, not perfection—take care of yourself too! Family Gratitude Rituals: Start a tradition where each person shares what they’re thankful for before the meal. This promotes mindfulness and connection. Gratitude Crafts: Younger children can create thankful trees or cards to express gratitude creatively. Quiet Zones: Set up a calm space for children to take breaks if they feel overwhelmed. Role-Play Manners: Help children practice good manners and sharing before holiday gatherings. Outdoor Play: Encourage family walks or games to burn off energy and bond. Even just sitting on the porch can de-escalate a situation. Volunteer Together: Engage in charitable activities to teach kids about giving. Set

November 25, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE: Head and Spinal Cord Injury 1915 (c) Waiver Renewal Application

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that it intends to file a five-year renewal application for the 1915(c) Home and Community Based (HCBS) Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI [SC.0284]) waiver. The program is operated by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) and will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposed effective date of this waiver renewal is July 1, 2023. Changes included in the proposed renewal are provided below: Current waiver participants will not be adversely impacted. Communication: The intent to renew the HASCI waiver with proposed changes was discussed on Jan. 25, 2023, during the monthly Indian Health Services conference call. Proposed changes will also be presented to SCDHHS’ Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) meeting on Feb. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. at 1801 Main Street, Columbia, S.C. Information regarding the HASCI

January 30, 2023

Family Connection joins SC Coalition for Safer Schools.

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

December 2, 2022

blond woman in white dress smiling outside

Elizabeth Kinney Announced as Family Connection of South Carolina Board of Directors President

(Columbia, SC, September 19, 2022)—Family Connection of South Carolina recently elected Elizabeth Kinney, of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, as president of the board of directors. Mrs. Kinney has served as a board member since 2020. John Roberts, Partner at Burr & Forman, served as president from 2019 – August 2022. Mr. Roberts will remain a member of the board. “We are honored to have Elizabeth move into this new role on our board of directors,” said Amy Holbert, Chief Executive Officer of Family Connection. “Her compassion and energetic vision will help us continue to provide innovative programs, resources, and services to families who have a child with a disability or chronic health condition.” As a Columbia native and school psychologist for more than 10 years, Elizabeth Kinney has seen the positive impact of Family Connection’s work in families from the Midlands and across the state. She and

September 20, 2022

Franco Family of Columbia to serve as ambassadors for LOOK! Photography Exhibit

On his first birthday, Javi was taken via a med-flight to Boston Children’s hospital for another surgery addressing complications with his esophagus. “Javi had a rough start to life, but he is now thriving, and the happiest little boy you could ever imagine” says his mom, Shelli. “We look at our adorable son and feel grateful to have him in our lives. It’s exciting to think about what is next for him!” The Franco family is serving as Ambassadors for Family Connection of South Carolina’s annual LOOK! Photography Exhibit—a collection offering an inspiring glimpse into the lives of children and young people who have a disability or chronic health condition. To create the exhibit, professional photographers from across the state volunteered their time to host photo sessions with more than 60 families who have received services from the organization. Annually, Family Connection serves more than 4,000 families across South Carolina.

June 30, 2022

Family Connection of South Carolina Welcomes Monty Robertson to Board of Directors

(Columbia, SC) — Family Connection of South Carolina is pleased to welcome Monty Robertson to their board of directors. Family Connection provides resources and services to South Carolina families who have a child with a disability or chronic health condition. Passionate about improving the health of his home state, Monty Robertson has served as the lead for multiple population health initiatives in South Carolina. Currently, he works at the South Carolina Hospital Association as the Director of the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina. Previously, Monty served as Senior Consultant at the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services where he worked with the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, a statewide collaborative to improve maternal and child health. Monty received his B.S. degree in Biology from Furman University and his Master of Health Administration from the University of South Carolina “Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated

June 16, 2022

Groucho’s Deli Announced as Presenting Sponsor of Family Connection’s LOOK Photography Exhibit

Annual Photo Exhibit Honors Children and Youth Living with a Disability (COLUMBIA, SC, May 31, 2022) – Family Connection of South Carolina (FCSC) is pleased to announce Groucho’s Deli as the presenting sponsor of LOOK! 2022. This year’s LOOK! photography collection will be on exhibit at the Richland County Library Gallery downtown. A private reception for photographers, sponsors, and families served will be held on July 23, 2022. The exhibit will be open to the public July 24th – September 16th. To create the exhibit, professional photographers from across the state volunteer their time to offer individual photo sessions with families who have a child or youth with a disability or chronic healthcare need. The inspiring photos capture active, candid moments of the participants doing the things they like to do best. Deric Rosenbaum of Groucho’s shares why Groucho’s is committed to supporting LOOK! 2022: “As parents in the Columbia

May 31, 2022

Family Connection Recognizes Foster Care Awareness Month

May is Foster Care Awareness Month and as a former foster parent, the importance of bringing awareness to our community is one that is both personally and professionally close to my heart. At the time of this article, there are currently 4,044 infant, children, and youth in South Carolina’s child welfare system. Of those in care, 2,185 are between the ages of 3-21 years old and are walking the halls of our schools as they try and navigate instability at home with the daily expectations of their educational journey. As South Carolina’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), we have a specific focus on special populations and how we can work closely with caregivers and stakeholders to ensure children in foster care are receiving the educational services and supports they are eligible for, that they have a say in their education plans, and that there are no gaps in service

May 9, 2022

Family Connection’s Autism Parent Navigator Program Highlighted in Penn State University Journal

Our Autism Parent Navigator program provides information, support, and guidance to help navigate changes at home and to access new treatments and services. Watch our APN video on our You Tube page! Find out more about the Autism Parent Navigator program and all of programs on our Programs Page.

May 5, 2022