(Columbia, SC)— Lexington County School District One’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council and Family Connection of South Carolina are collaborating to host a free, informational event at White Knoll High School on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Parent Connections is open to parents of students with disabilities of all ages, as well as caregivers and professionals of these students.   “As South Carolina’s Parent Training and Information Center, we applaud Lexington One School District for recognizing the power of the parent voice!” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. We have worked closely with District leadership to co-design and train parent leaders for their first ever Special Education Parent Advisory Council. We are delighted to be supporting this event that will bring together parents of students with disabilities across the district for a day of learning and connecting.  “Planning and launching Parent Connections has been a truly rewarding experience!”

Annual Photo Exhibit Honors Children and Youth Living with a Disability Family Connection of South Carolina is pleased to announce Groucho’s Deli as the presenting sponsor of LOOK!™ 2025.   A private reception for photographers, sponsors, and participating families will be held at 701 Whaley on July 13, 2025. Intisar Faulkner, of WIS-TV, will be the event emcee. The LOOK! 2025 exhibit can be viewed online at www.familyconnectionsc.org/look beginning July 13. The exhibit will be open to the public at the Belk Court at Columbiana Centre from July 15 – August 8, and will travel to venues across the Midlands and Upstate regions throughout 2025.  To create the exhibit, professional photographers from across the state volunteer their time to offer individual photo sessions with families who have a child or youth with a disability or chronic health condition. The inspiring photos capture candid moments of the participants doing the things they like to

Family Connection of South Carolina joins organizations across our country urging Congress to protect families of children with disabilities and not cut funding to Medicaid. Read our letter. Medicaid is a lifeline for many South Carolina families! It covers essential care for children and youth with disabilities. But right now, the US Senate is considering hundreds of billions in cuts that puts their care at risk. This would mean fewer services to critical care for children and higher medical bills for families. Contact your Senator to #ProtectMedicaid!  Senator Tim Scott: Phone: (202) 224-6121Email: https://www.scott.senate.gov/contact/email-me/ Senator Lindsey Graham: Phone: (202) 224-5972Email: https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact-form One South Carolina’s Story “My daughter, Grace, was born healthy, but by age three, she was struggling with debilitating chronic illness. When we moved to South Carolina in 2018, her condition left her bedridden and unable to attend school regularly. Once she was approved for TEFRA Medicaid, we gained access to critical treatments

Annual conference highlights resources for families and professionals caring for individuals who have a disability  (Columbia, SC)—Family Connection of South Carolina will be hosting its annual Hopes and Dreams Conference on Thursday, March 27th at the R2i2 Conference Center in Columbia. This event brings together professionals and families who care for children and young adults who have a disability as well as self-advocates for a day of learning and collaboration.   Keynote speakers include Tanner Smith and his mother Nicci Smith in the morning session, and ‘quirky kid’ Amy Nelson, in the afternoon session. Tanner Smith is a 26-year-old South Carolina native who came into the public eye after appearing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum US. Tanner was diagnosed with high functioning Autism and Sensory Integration Dysfunction at 4 years old. He is a 2022 graduate of ClemsonLIFE. Amy Nelson is an award-winning author who champions neurodiversity

In South Carolina, the One SC Fund directs donations to local nonprofits that provide disaster relief and recovery, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Henry McMaster. The state’s Emergency Management Division also has information for people interested in volunteering, donating clothes or giving to food banks.