The South Carolina Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Plan is going through a public comment period. During the public comment period, which will occurfrom Feb. 10 – March 12, 2021, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services(SCDHHS) is soliciting feedback for the following:• SCDHHS is submitting a list of settings in the South Carolina Department of Disabilitiesand Special Needs (SCDDSN) network to CMS for heightened scrutiny review under Category 2, defined as buildings on the grounds of, or immediately adjacent to, a public institution; and• The final approved South Carolina HCBS Statewide Transition Plan, which has been revised to reflect date changes, updated heightened scrutiny settings numbers, and other technical change revisions.The comment period is Feb. 10 – March 12, 2021.A webinar will be held Feb. 17, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. to review the above information. Register here! Comments on the heightened scrutiny submission or the

(Columbia, SC, January 20, 2021)—For 30 years, Family Connection of South Carolina has been changing lives by making connections, raising awareness, and promoting inclusion for children and youth with disabilities and specialized healthcare needs. The organization offers programs and services to ensure that parents, professionals, and caregivers have access to programs and resources to help children reach their full potential. “Since 1990, Family Connection has served more than 100,000 families. Our work focuses on five areas: parent support, healthcare, education, training, and advocacy 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.” To continue serving more families throughout South Carolina, Family Connection is seeking professionals to join a Volunteer Leadership Committee for their LOOK! and Buddy Walk fundraising events. Both events are held in the greater-Columbia area. LOOK! is a photography exhibit

Interested in monitoring your baby’s development? The Early Social Development Lab at U of SC is currently recruiting infants younger than 6 months for a research study dedicated to improving the early detection of autism. We are especially interested in infant siblings of children with autism and preterm infants! Our study will follow your child during their first 2 years of life. Participation involves one- to two-hour visits to the lab where infants will: Engage with clinician in play-based assessments Interact with toys and caregiver Watch short videos  You will receive valuable feedback and support that can help your own child and transform autism for future generations. Register!

Each year, we are fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of the proceeds of The ChippenWhales Polar Plunge—hosted by Children’s Charities of the Midlands a non-profit organization established to better the welfare of kids in need.  This year’s plunge into the cold water of Lake Carolina in Columbia, will take place Saturday, January 16th. You can support the event through their exciting online auction or making a donation. Gary Matthews, event organizer, interviewed one of our families this week. Find out more and read the inspiring story of Lizzy Samples, as told to Gary from from Lizzy’s mom, Jenny Anderson: Imagine yourself or your spouse being 12 weeks pregnant.  You’re excited going into your doctor appointment, but in an instant, you’re told that you child will have a genetic disorder.  You’re now filled with a completely different list of emotions as the doctor explains your options including abortion.  For

Jena Martin, our Director of Special Populations, and her husband Brad were recommended by Senator Tim Scott and have been chosen as a 2020 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) Angels in Adoption® Honoree! Brad and Jena started their adoption journey as foster parents through the Bair Foundation. They were placed with two brothers. At the time of the adoption of these boys, both were behind in many areas compared to their peers.  One of the boys is completely deaf in one ear, has some vision limitations and attends speech therapy. At the time of their adoption, Jena said on her blog, “I am not a believer in coincidences and know without a doubt God orchestrated the two-year paperwork wait and 24-hour placement after we were licensed to have these two brothers walk into our home on March 4, 2014. After a lengthy process, the Martins legally adopted both boys.

In 2012, Courtney Giles and her husband Martin, adopted a baby boy whose start in life began as a micro preemie. Baby Marcus was born 16 weeks early, weighing just 1lb 80z. He spent 151 days in the NICU before being placed in foster care. When Courtney and Martin adopted Marcus he was 14 months old and very tiny, weighing just under 14 pounds wearing 6-9 months clothes. The first time Courtney held Marcus she knew she was meant to be his mother. The bond both she and Martin felt with him was unlike any other. “It was cosmic. He instantly bonded with us both. It was like he fought all those days in the NICU just for us! He is a special gift. We call him Miracle Marcus. The Giles family anticipated Marcus would have health needs associated with his early birth. At 22 months, he was diagnosed with

Family Connection of South Carolina recognizes the importance for families to have education and learning opportunity options, whether a return to in-person classroom instruction, hybrid options, or virtual only. We emphasize however, that the health and safety of students, teachers, school employees, families, and our community as a whole–is of utmost importance. Significant investment must come from federal and state governments to support schools in their reopening efforts, particularly those already under-resourced. Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina notes: “We support the statement of Superintendent Spearman: ‘We cannot turn a blind eye to the health and safety of our students and staff when the spread of the virus in some of our communities is among the highest in the world. School leaders, in consultation with public health experts, are best positioned to determine how in-person operations should be carried out to fit the needs of their local