News

Trump Accounts and benefit eligibility.

In July 2026, the federal government created Trump Accounts, which allowed families to create tax advantaged investment account for their children. Beginning in October, the U.S. Department of the Treasury automatically signed up every child with a Social Security number for a Trump Account. However, parents must claim the account to allow for deposits. An open and claimed account for children born between January 2025 and December 2028 will automatically be funded with $1,000 from the Treasury Department. Families of children with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or who may qualify for SSI as adults, should understand how these accounts could affect benefit eligibility. When a young adult turns 18, this account will become a “countable” resource – meaning it will count toward an individual’s max resource limit of $2,000 and could impact SSI eligibility. These accounts are different from an ABLE account, which is a tax-advantaged savings and investment account designed to help eligible

October 15, 2026

Helping Families Start the School Year Strong

Fall means new backpacks, new routines and plenty of paperwork. For many families raising children with disabilities or chronic health conditions, the start of a new school year can also bring questions about services, evaluations, healthcare and much more. Family Connection of South Carolina has been busy helping families understand IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations and reevaluations and school services, as well as helping parents and guardians prepare for meetings with school and healthcare professionals. Sometimes that means walking families through complicated processes. Other times, it means helping a parent determine the next question to ask—or simply reassuring them that they do not have to figure it out alone. Support from the Family Connection team led to meaningful progress for families across the state last month: We were also reminded of the lasting impact one connection can make. At an outreach event, a parent shared that a Family Connection staff member

September 15, 2026

Important: SC Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Renewals

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has announced they intend to file waiver renewals with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) (SC.0237) and the Medically Complex Children (MCC) (SC.0675) home and community-based services waivers with proposed effective of January 1, 2027. A recording of the webinar can be found here. The deadline for comments is Monday, September 21. Comments can be submitted via email or mail: Email: [email protected]: Attention: Michelle AbneyBureau of PolicySouth Carolina Department of Health and Human ServicesPost Office Box 8206Columbia, SC 29202-8206 If you have non-renewal questions or comments related to the waivers, those can be sent to [email protected] Download IDRD Waver Renewal Application Download MCC Waver Renewal Application Download Public Notice IDRD MCC Waiver Renewalsca

August 25, 2026

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Back-to-School Tips from the Experts: The Students

We asked a few experts – the students, of course – about going back to school. Our expert panel includes: High schoolers: G., a high school senior D., a high school junior E., a high school freshman L., a high school freshman Middle Schoolers: G., sixth grader L., sixth grader Elementary Schoolers: J., fifth grader Here’s what they had to say. From our middle and high schoolers: What makes you excited or happy about going back to school? What do you want your teachers to know about you? Is there anything you’re nervous about? What would you tell other students about the first day of school? Do you have any advice for staying calm and handling new situations and new teachers? Favorite class at school? Do you think you’ll have homework on the first day?  Do you have your outfit picked out for the first day? Who are you most excited to see on the first day? 

August 10, 2026

Start the Year Prepared & Connected

A new school year can bring excitement, uncertainty and plenty of questions—especially for families of children and youth with disabilities or healthcare needs. A little planning, early communication and support from the school team can help make the transition smoother. Whether your child is starting elementary school, navigating the teen years or heading to college, these tips can help your family begin the year feeling prepared and connected.

August 3, 2026

Summer Reading List

Young Children (1-4) I Like Myself!/¡Me gusta cómo soy! – by Karen Beaumont Children (5-9) Different–A Great Thing to Be! – by Heather Avis Featherless / Desplumado – by Juan Felipe Herrera Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You – By Sonia Sotomayor ¡Solo pregunta!: Sé Diferente, Sé Valiente, Sé Tú (Spanish Edition) – By Sonia Sotomayor Teen (10-14) Anything But Typical – by Nora Raleigh Baskin Full Cicada Moon – by Marilyn Hilton Guts – By Raina Telgmeier A Kind of Spark – by Elle McNicoll Marcelo in the Real World – by Francisco X. Stork Out of My Mind – by Sharon M. Draper Young Adult (15-18) The Bone Houses – by Emily Lloyd-Jones Five Feet Apart – by Rachael Lippincott It’s Kind of a Funny Story – by Ned Vizzini One for All – by Lillie Lainoff Queens of Geek – by Jen Wilde Say What You Will – by Cammie

June 16, 2026

Family Connection Unveils 2026 LOOK! Photography Collection

(Columbia, SC)— Family Connection of South Carolina unveiled the 2026 LOOK!™ photography exhibit with a special event for families and photographers on Sunday, June 7 at 701 Whaley. This year’s exhibit features 60 children and young adults with a disability or chronic health condition. The exhibit will be at the Richland Library from Thursday, June 11, 2026, to Friday, July 17, 2026. The public is invited to visit the library to view the photographs. “We hope everyone will come by the library and take a moment to reflect and to see the joy and everyday moments experienced by children and youth who also happen to have a disability,” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection. “This is such a special photography collection, and we are grateful to the families for sharing their experiences with us and the photographers who have given of their time and talents to make this exhibit possible.” Family Connection honored two individuals with awards during the unveiling. Tyler Popillo received the Support Parent of The Year award. Trained Support Parent Volunteers are matched with

June 9, 2026

Family Connection Celebrates Families with 2026 LOOK! Photography Exhibit

(Columbia, SC)—Family Connection of South Carolina will unveil the 2026 LOOK!™ photography exhibit with a special event on Sunday, June 7 at 701 Whaley. The preview event is the first time the families will see their child’s photo. This year’s exhibit features 60 children and young adults with a disability or chronic health condition. Following the June 7 unveiling, the exhibit will be shown at the Richland Library from Thursday, June 11, 2026, to Friday, July 17, 2026. The public is invited to visit the library to view the photographs. “We hope everyone will come by the library and take a moment to reflect and to see the joy and everyday moments experienced by children and youth who also happen to have a disability,” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection. “This is such a special photography collection, and we are grateful to the families for sharing their experiences with us and the photographers who have given of their time and talents to make this exhibit possible.” LOOK!™ is an annual photography exhibit showcasing the beauty and

June 1, 2026

Family Connection of South Carolina Receives $20,000 Gift from Cheerful Giver

Unrestricted donation strengthens organization’s ability to serve families across the state [Columbia, SC] — Family Connection of South Carolina announced today that it is the recipient of a $20,000 unrestricted gift from the Cheerful Giver Fund of Central Carolina Community Foundation. The generous donation will support the organization’s core mission of empowering families navigating disabilities, developmental delays, and special healthcare needs. “This gift is a profound expression of confidence in our work,” said Amy Holbert, CEO. “An unrestricted gift gives us the flexibility to invest directly where families need us most—whether that’s expanding peer support groups, deepening advocacy training, or strengthening our resource navigation services. We are deeply grateful.” The Cheerful Giver Fund awards anonymous donations to nonprofit organizations making meaningful impact in the Central Carolina region. The identity of the donor remains confidential, but Family Connection is honored to be recognized for its commitment to the families it serves.

May 7, 2026