(June 22, 2020)–We are delighted to announce Farren Allen, Research and Evaluation Manager, has been selected to participate in the Next Generation Leaders (NextGen) cohort of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs Leadership Lab! Participants in this 10-month program are chosen from applicants across the country.  The curriculum is designed for young professionals who wish to develop leadership skills at the state and national level. The program is designed to assist participants in expanding their Title V network, and their maternal child health knowledge and proficiency. The program kicks off on June 30, 2020 with a virtual orientation and will conclude in at the AMCHP Annual Conference, currently scheduled for May of 2021 in New Orleans. Farren has worked for Family Connection since 2018, starting as a part-time Graduate Assistant while getting her master’s degree. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2020, receiving

(Columbia, SC, June 16, 2020)—Family Connection of South Carolina welcomes recently elected members Dr. Mitchell Yell, of the University of South Carolina, Karen Crider of the State Treasurer’s Office, and Elizabeth Kinney, of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties to the board of directors. “We are delighted to have Dr. Yell, Mrs. Crider and Mrs. Kinney serve in these volunteer leadership roles. Their vision and experience will help us continue to serve families who have a child with a disability or special healthcare need” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. Mitchell L. Yell, Ph.D., is the Fred and Francis Lester Palmetto Chair in Teacher Education and a Professor in Special Education at the University of South Carolina. He earned his Ph.D. in special education from the University of Minnesota. His professional interests include special education law, IEP development, progress monitoring, and parent involvement in

Thank you to our friend Jimmy Anderson for sharing his insights on fatherhood and family!

(COLUMBIA, SC May 18, 2020) – Family Connection of South Carolina (FCSC) and the South Carolina Department of Education have launched a new program called Text 2 Read for parents of preschoolers. Parents can use their cell phone to text T2R to 734-5BOOK52 (734-526-6552) to receive free weekly text messages offering practical tips and activities to promote reading readiness. Texts are created from South Carolina’s early learning standards and are segmented for early preschoolers, 36-48 months old or older preschoolers, 48-60 months old. “Text 2 Read is a confidential, easy-to-use resource for parents to help prepare their child for Kindergarten and becoming ready to read” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. “Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting their child’s literacy development. This program is aimed to improve reading ability, comprehension and language skills of young learners and promote interaction between parent and child.”

Thank you to all of the generous contributors who donated to Family Connection of South Carolina through the Midlands Gives event this year! Because of you, and our generous anonymous donor, the Cheerful Giver, an unprecedented $7,000 was raised! Your gifts will help us continue serving our families and helping those with disabilities and special health care needs. #MakingConnections #RaisingAwareness #PromotingInclusion

CEO Amy Holbert’s appearance on WIS-TV discussing Family Connection of South Carolina’s resources and services for families! Watch the interview!