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

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.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) intends to file waiver amendments with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for multiple 1915(c) home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers administered through its Office of Waiver and Facility Services. These amendments will establish authority for the use of enhanced funding from Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Additionally, these amendments will address cost limits and services to account for impacts associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency and will make permanent the rate increases implemented under the recently approved Appendix K.

First5SC.org connects families with 60 programs and services for children from birth through age five. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Agency directors, legislators, and other leaders today joined Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette at a State House press conference to unveil a comprehensive plan for strengthening South Carolina’s early childhood system and announced First Five SC, a new interactive website for families with young children. “Our goal is, and always has been, to make sure all of our children enter kindergarten ready to learn, and I’m grateful for the South Carolinians who came together to develop this plan that will help us realize that goal,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Part of that is understanding that parents are busy and that they don’t always have the time to search dozens of websites, hoping to find the appropriate services for their child. Now, we’ve addressed that by establishing an online portal

(Columbia, SC, November 10, 2021)—Family Connection of South Carolina received a $2,500 donation from Modern Woodmen of America chapter 12214 in support of Buddy Walk 2021. Buddy Walk is an annual community event held in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October. The event supports the vision of the National Down Syndrome Society to help create a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Funds raised through the Columbia Buddy Walk also help Family Connection provide services and resources to families across South Carolina who have a child with a disability or chronic health condition. “We are grateful for the support of Modern Woodmen for this year’s Buddy Walk” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. “Their donation helps Family Connection continue to promote inclusion,

Buddy Walk 2021! Family Connection of South Carolina is honored to host our 2021 Buddy Walk October as part of our Down syndrome awareness month activities this October! This year’s celebration will be a multi-day virtual event starting on Sunday, October 24th at 2:00 p.m. on our Facebook page.  Start fundraising online now and join us on October 24th! When you start and lead a Buddy Walk team you are helping families who have a child with Down syndrome connect with resources they need to help their children thrive! You are also helping all families served by Family Connection of South Carolina. Since 1990, Family Connection has served more than 100,000 families by providing peer-to-peer support, assistance with navigating the complex health care system, and guidance with school meetings and special education plans. When you join Buddy Walk, you are: Helping promote inclusion, equity, and community–part of Family Connection’s core

Help with COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disabilities Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) – or – email [email protected] The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is now available to help people with disabilities get vaccinated.  The DIAL’s trained staff is standing by to: Help find local vaccination locations Assist with making vaccination appointments Connect callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation.

(COLUMBIA, SC, September 9, 2021) – Early on, Charles and Elizabeth Kinney noticed their daughter Ellington was missing developmental milestones. Eventually Ellington was diagnosed with a very rare genetic neurological condition, KCNQ3. Due to this condition, Ellington has global developmental delays, cortical visual impairment, and autism.  The Kinney 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 3,000 families across South Carolina. “Our greatest joys in our journey as Ellington’s parents have been watching her growth and success as she works so hard to build the skills we