Empowering Families Through Shared Experience
Shared experiences can provide comfort and a strong sense of community. At Family Connection of South Carolina, peer support is at the heart of everything the organization does.
According to Chief Executive Officer Amy Holbert, these shared journeys provide the foundation for the work of Family Connection SC with families who care for a child or young adult with a disability, chronic condition, behavioral health condition or other health care need. “Research shows that parent-to-parent support reduces isolation and establishes trust,” Holbert said.
Programs and Services for Families
The services and programs at Family Connection SC are varied but focus on offering assistance with navigating the complex health care landscape and assistance with preparing for school meetings and understanding Individualized Education Plans and other school plans, support and services. Training on a variety of parenting topics and other resources also is available. Services are offered at no cost to families and are available for parents of children and young adults from birth to age 26.
Supporting Education and School Transitions
Education services target intervention for babies and toddlers; school services for school-age children; therapies; and local policies. “We encourage parent and school partnerships by helping parents learn how best to work with school resources,” Holbert said. “We want to help families understand their options.”
Growth and Reach of Family Connection SC
Family Connection SC, which has 40 staff members across the state, has been supporting families since 1990. In 2024, it received 6,900 referrals for services, a 128% increase since 2020. Almost half the organization’s referrals are children from birth to second grade. Entering middle school is another huge transition time for kids and their families, and so are the years when an older child is getting ready to enter adulthood at around 17 years old.
Training and Federal Support Initiatives
The Family Connection SC staff recently developed and provided regional training in support of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. According to The National Center for Homeless Education, the law is aimed at providing school access and support for academic success to students experiencing homelessness.
Emotional Support for Parents After Diagnosis
After a diagnosis, a parent may not even know what questions to ask. “We tell them they are not alone,” Holbert explained. “They do not have to do this by themselves. We provide knowledge and expertise, but just being there is sometimes what a parent needs.”
Signature Events Build Community and Awareness
The annual LOOK! photography exhibit speaks to the organization’s values of creating inclusion and community. Photographers across the state volunteer their time to give families who have a child with a disability or chronic health condition a candid, playful photo session. Each photo in the exhibit features a QR code linked to an accompanying story page about the child or young person.
The exhibit will be open to the public from July 15 through Aug. 8 at the Columbiana Centre mall in Columbia. From there, the exhibit will travel to the Lexington County Library for the remainder of the month of August and to other venues in the Midlands and Upstate areas for the rest of the year.
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October, Family Connection invites those who have a family member with Down syndrome to start a Buddy Walk campaign. Families raise awareness and funds throughout the month and then Family Connection SC invites participating families, sponsors, friends and supporters to come together for a day of family fun. This year, the Buddy Walk event will be held on Nov. 2 at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. Families and teams from anywhere in the state may participate and support the event.
The annual Hopes & Dreams Conference will be held on March 25, 2026, in Columbia. This day of networking and learning is offered to parents and professionals who care for children and young people with disabilities.
How to Connect with Family Connection SC
To make a referral for services or to learn more about Family Connection SC programs and services, visit familyconnectionsc.org or call 800-578-8750 – or 888-808-7462 for Spanish speaking families.
By Lisa Wack
