News and Updates

Registration deadline: September 4, 2017 HOW TO REGISTER FOR GROUPS If your child has participated in social skills groups during previous sessions, please complete the attached fee agreement to confirm your enrollment. All fees are due no later than September Read More

Enjoy a night of fun at the ballpark with family and friends in the Palmetto Citizens FCU All-Star Seats and watch the Fireflies take on the Charleston Riverdogs. Tickets are only $10, and $5 from each ticket will be donated Read More

Your voice is still needed NOW to ensure that children with disabilities and special healthcare needs continue to have the services they desperately need through Medicaid. Several options to repeal the Affordable Care Act have been considered, and our Congressional leaders are Read More

Save the Date for the 2017 Columbia Buddy Walk Sunday, October 22, 2017 1-5 p.m. Saluda Shoals Park Athletic Complex 6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210 Join us to raise awareness while promoting acceptance and inclusion of those Read More

Join us to run, walk or stroll in the Family Connection 5Ks and help us promote active lifestyles for everyone! The Columbia 5K is set for September 30 and the Anderson 5K is set for November 4. Thanks to all Ainsley’s Read More

April 5, 2017 Pursuant to Executive Order 2016-20, lead agency designation for South Carolina’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program, known in South Carolina as “BabyNet”, will be transferred from South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Read More

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that a proposed application for the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care (PCSC) waiver will be submitted to the Centers of Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) and is available for Read More

Photography Exhibit Family Connection is hosting the LOOK! Forward photography exhibit in the Midlands for the first time this year. The opening event was held on Saturday, April 8 but the photos will remain on display at the Tapp’s Arts Center Read More

December 5 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm DESCRIPTION: This webinar provided an overview of Waivers and waiver-based services. SPEAKER: Guest Speakers: Lori Manos, Michelle White and Susan Bolt DATE: December 5, 2016 For the transcript of the webinar, view this Waivers Read More

SPEAKER: Gwynne Goodlett DESCRIPTION: The first of a series of monthly webinars is an update on progress on the development of the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care, entitled “Where We’ve Been and Where We Are Going.” This webinar covers what a Read More

SPEAKERS: Tonna Okei and Gwynne Goodlett DESCRIPTION: The second in a series of monthly webinars is an update on progress on the development of the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care, this webinar will update participants about who the state is trying Read More

SPEAKER: Shannon Staley December 15 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Title: Medicaid 101: An overview of Medicaid and TEFRA This Medicaid 101 Video will take you to a replay of the webinar. To download the transcript of the webinar, click this Read More

This is a workshop that discusses options for Teens and/or Young Adults planning to live independently and their parent or caregiver. Date Recorded: 4/16/2016 Link to Webinar Recording

COLUMBIA – October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the time to join Family Connection of South Carolina for its 17th Annual Columbia Buddy Walk®. The event is from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, October 23 at Saluda Shoals Park Read More

Come run, walk or stroll at Saluda Shoals Families and children of all abilities are invited to join us to promote active lifestyles and inclusion for everyone! Family Connection and Ainsley’s Angels are partnering on their first Midlands Area 5K Read More

The SC Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Plan is going through a third public comment period due to changes made in the plan per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements. The comment period is Aug. 17 Read More

Columbia, SC: The torrential rains and floods have caused tremendous loss and damage in the Midlands and across South Carolina. But the spirit and connections of our communities and our state remain strong. Regardless of backgrounds or beliefs, people have Read More

Are you someone that is looking for an opportunity to support your community, while having fun at the same time? We have the opportunity you have been looking for. Family Connection of South Carolina hosts three Buddy Walks across the Read More

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Family Connection of South Carolina has been awarded the 2015 Office of Special Education and Information for Parents and Children of Disabilities – Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) grant issued by the US Department of Education Read More

Family Connection of South Carolina’s executive director, Amy Holbert, has been selected to present at the 2015 MCH Workforce Academy: Leading in a Transformative Environment to Improve Population Health. She was picked from applications that were submitted from all over Read More

Author: Jen Franklin Kearns, ds-connex team member A couple of weekends ago, my family and I were enjoying a Sunday afternoon at the pool. As we’re having an exceptionally rainy summer, we were anxious to take advantage of a window Read More

COLUMBIA, SC – July 26th, 2015 will highlight the 25 year anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into action by president George H. Bush. To celebrate this 25th milestone, Protection and Advocacy, The University of South Read More

Family Connection is so excited about our upcoming benefit concert, not only are we going to get to celebrate our 25th year anniversary with our community, but we get to party with the Mustache Brothers! We are showing our excitement Read More

Early in Alexia’s diagnosis she was seeing multiple pediatricians and specialists, which for a young girl can be overwhelming and stressful. It was not until she met Dr. Jones that things started to come together for her. Her services became Read More

It comes as no surprise that parents are feeling stressed, and when you have a child with a disability you can multiply that stress by 10! It is hard to find the time you need to take care of your Read More

Facebook is and extension of our lives. It is how we communicate, share and find out what is going on with the world. I know that it is my primary source for getting news stories, and the best way to Read More

Recently we discovered a “mommy blogger” that was willing to share her story about her daughter, Aubrey. Aubrey was born in September 2007 and was diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder at seven months old, that transformed into Epilepsy. Her Read More

Camp Burnt Gin is an overnight camp for children who have special health care needs. The camp runs form early June until mid August. They host seven sessions; each one lasts six days. The camp provides a fun, safe summer Read More

This post was contributed by Letrell Hodge What does your child want to be when they grow up? If they could do anything for a job, would they want to be a doctor, a teacher, or maybe a professional athlete? Read More

This post by contributed by guest blogger Deborah Leigh Norman When my second son was born two months early and later diagnosed with Down syndrome, somewhere in the flurry of reading I consumed, I came across the poem “Welcome to Read More

This post was contributed by guest blogger Rochelle Gadson So often when we hear the words let go, we find that this is the most difficult thing to do. Our insecurities kick in and we think of all the worst-case Read More

This post was contributed by guest blogger Jennifer Jett. It is hard to believe that we have been living in this storm for almost five years now. You notice I said living…we are actually doing more than that…we are thriving. Read More

Family Connection will host its 20th annual Hopes & Dreams conference for parents and professionals who care for children with special needs Feb. 7-8 at First Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C. The conference includes more than 60 speakers and workshops Read More

By Rochelle Gadson Rochelle’s daughter Abby Gadson As a mother, one of the greatest pains you can feel is when your child is not happy. You try to find almost anything to bring your child joy. Can I change the Read More

By Padgett Mozingo, mother of two and a Columbia resident. Becoming a parent is a sobering thing. You’re completely responsible for making sure a new little person has everything they need to thrive, grow and learn. Knowing that little person Read More

Guest blogger Jennifer Jett shares the story of her son’s diagnosis, comparing her experience to a storm. I like to think of the last few years as a storm that slowly blew in without too many people noticing. I was Read More

Family Connection’s Greenville office has created a ground-breaking photographic display of children with special needs having fun in their community, with family, at school , at work and play. This exhibit was created with grants from The Children’s Hospital of Read More

By Laura Townsend Kane, parent of a child with autism Note: Laura Townsend Kane, parent of a child with autism, has written a guest blog post about how extended family can help when someone in the family has autism. Puzzle Read More

Today we recognize World Autism Awareness Day. Families gathered at local parks across the state to celebrate by enjoying a picnic lunch and lighting it up blue! Check out some of our kids who are going blue for autism awareness:

South Carolina’s own hit singer/songwriter Edwin McCain will perform an intimate concert for 400 guests to benefit Family Connection of SC April 28 at the Hall at Senate’s End. Tickets are selling out fast, so don’t wait until the last Read More

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