Family Voices of South Carolina

Contact Information

WC Hoecke
(803) 252-0914
wchoecke@familyconnectionsc.org

Jackie Richards
(803) 252-0914
jackierichards@familyconnectionsc.org

Emily Green
(803) 252-0914
emilygreen@familyconnectionsc.org

South Carolina Family Voices (SCFV), housed at Family Connection, a support network for families who have children with special needs, provides assistance to families and professionals through a broad system of programs and services, including:

- individualized support
- conferences
- topical calls

- support groups
- lending library
- listservs

- parent matching
- videos
- newsletters

- training
- resource guides
- website

- focus groups
- care notebook
- surveys

This work is supported by funding from governmental contracts, private donations, grants, foundations, and fundraising.

HIGHLIGHT: Partnering with Policymakers / Legislators
During last year’s session of the South Carolina General Assembly, SCFV and other parent advocates organized a grassroots initiative seeking new legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and to define PDD as a neurological condition related to Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. “Ryan's Law,” as it was named, would have enabled young children in SC in need of therapies to access them through private insurance. As a compromise to both help families and hold insurance companies harmless, the 2006 General Assembly appropriated $3 million to be matched by Medicaid funds to develop a PDD pilot program. The project will treat children who have been diagnosed with PDD by 8 years of age. Treatment for each child may not exceed 3 years and reimbursement for each child may not exceed $50,000 per year. Ryan's Law will be re-introduced during the 2007 General Assembly.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS: Families and Communities
SCFV and Family Connection provide invaluable help to families of CYSHCN as they learn to navigate complex health care service systems:

“ Family Connection has not only afforded us much help throughout the years as parents of a child who has a disability, but also equipped us to be an effective conduit to help others. Early on, the systems regarding disability can be quite confusing for a parent. For us, we did not know where to turn to receive important information and resources concerning our daughter. Family Connection staff made themselves available and gave empowering and invaluable information concerning what was available in the areas of healthcare, education, and recreational opportunities. I had the opportunity to attend the support parent training at Family Connection. Being a support parent has allowed me to form real friendships where we support and learn from each other. Family Connection also continues to be a tremendous resource of information that enables us to advocate effectively for my daughter and others with disabilities on the local, state, and national level.” - a parent

WORKING TOGETHER FOR CYSHCN:
Family Connection, in its role as the state's family-to-family network and as SC Family Voices organization, supports a family liaison who receives inquiries from parents with CYSHCN and provides needed information and advocacy to assist them in choosing health plans available through Medicaid. Family Connection works collaboratively with SCDHHS and managed care companies to assure that CYSHCN are receiving care in a timely manner. They are at the table to assist in increasing knowledge about families with CYSHCN, inform about Medicaid eligibility programs, and assist in the eligibility process, as well as to promote medical homes, EPSDT, training for providers serving CYSHCN, and to institutionalize the role of parent/family support.

Family Voices of South Carolina

Contact Information

Useful Links

South Carolina