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: 

• A school agreed to conduct additional evaluations, including an autism spectrum disorder rating scale, for an elementary school student.  

• A family that recently moved to South Carolina learned how to request a reevaluation and reconnect their child with special education services.  

• A unaccompanied child from out of state with a disability was connected with a medical home. That child also received help with school medical paperwork, and our team was able to make connections with a GI specialist and financial assistance. 

• Families received help preparing for IEP meetings, requesting evaluations, applying for TEFRA, accessing ABA therapy and navigating adult transition resources.  

• One family that applied for Community Long Term Care is now receiving services.  

• One of our team members was able to help a family change from managed care Medicaid to Fee-for-Service thanks to a three-way call with their insurance provider. 

• Staff helped a family identify why a child’s Social Security benefit had been reduced and Medicaid coverage had been lost. After trying several other avenues without finding an answer, the family is now able to work toward a solution.  

• Another team member helped a parent prepare for her child to turn 18. We were able to connect the parent with various resources and provided information about this important transition.   

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 had previously helped her complete a TEFRA application. The application was approved, and her child is now receiving needed therapy. During their conversation, the parent was also connected with education and homeschool resources. 

In another case, a parent and her two children had repeatedly been denied Medicaid coverage despite submitting applications and documentation. During a Peer Support visit, a Family Connection team member listened, offered guidance and connected the family with our Healthcare Team for additional assistance. 

The Family Connection team also met families in their own communities at events across the state, including the First Day Festival, BRIDGED Disability Resource Expo, Back-to-School Literacy Event, Legacy Early College Family Empowerment Night, Learn Freely Fest, EdVenture Sensory Friendly Night, McGregor Preschool Parent Night and SPARK. 

Families continue to face very real barriers, including long waitlists, difficulty finding ABA and other providers, Medicaid and TEFRA concerns and complicated school processes. 

There may not always be a quick or easy solution. But having someone listen, explain the options and help determine the next step can make the path feel a little less overwhelming. 

These are just some of the many ways Family Connection helps families across South Carolina. Whether the question is about school, health care, benefits, services or what comes next, families do not have to navigate it alone. 

Do you have a child with a disability or chronic healthcare condition? Family Connection is here to provide resources and support from others who have traveled the same journey. Please submit a referral and we will be in touch.