Excitement is already in the air as we all begin to get ready for the holidays! This newsletter is full of things you want to make sure you check out! The Advantage Academy has their Winter Pop-Up Shop where you can buy items our F1S students have made for Christmas presents! You don't want to miss it!

We also have a parent training on Dec. 8th, All About Resources at McClenaghan, where you can learn about resources in Florence you may be missing out on. Representatives from college programs in SC that offer certificate programs for students with exceptional needs will be sharing information at Wilson High this month as well.

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

Come learn about agencies and organizations providing resources and services to individuals with special needs in Florence, SC. Are you utilizing all that is available to you? Come find out!

Join us on Thursday, December 8th at 11:00 am at the McClenaghan Bldg at 500 S. Dargan St. We will meet in the IT conference room on the 2nd floor.

Register here: https://forms.gle/J6gEK1uzdFfLTj86A

If you have questions or would like more information contact Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@fsd1.org.

Did you know that there are colleges in SC that offer a non-degree, residential certificate program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities? They are called LIFE Programs.

LIFE Programs in SC

Currently South Carolina has five comprehensive transition programs located at USC, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, and Winthrop University.

On Thursday, December 8th at 10 am representatives from these programs will be sharing with parents and students at Wilson High School. Any parents of a student in F1S interested in learning more are welcome to attend!

Come learn more!

When: 10:00 am on Thur., Dec. 8th

Where: Wilson High School

1411 Old Marion Hwy

The Advantage Academy is hosting a Winter Pop-Up Shop on Thursday, December 8th from 9:30 am to 3 pm to sell student-created merchandise made within the program. We have a wide variety of winter products that we will be selling: ornaments, holiday door hangers and yard signs, garden flags, soaps, bath fizzes, sugar scrubs, body creams, earrings, coffee, hotdogs, etc.

Do some Christmas shopping at the Winter Pop-Up Shop!

Thursday, December 8th from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

at Advantage Academy

126 East Howe Springs Road
Florence, SC 29505

843-664-8465

The holidays can mean family get togethers, seasonal parties and lots of fun events. However, these also can bring changes to our normal schedule, late bedtimes, overstimulation and melt downs.

We want to enjoy the holidays and we want our children to be able to participate in all the holiday fun, but sometimes it can just feel overwhelming. Check out the short powerpoint below for some Tips for Surviving the Holiday!

Modivcare (formerly LogistiCare) provides non-emergency transportation to medical appointments, including to pick up prescriptions. This service is provided to individuals that have Healthy Connections Medicaid.

If you want to provide your own transportation you can also request gas mileage reimbursement. So if your child has Healthy Connections Medicaid, including TEFRA, you can contact Modivcare by phone at 1-866-445-9954 or online at www.modivcare.com.

To schedule a pick-up or request gas mileage reimbursement you must provide:

- A Medicaid number

- The pick-up address and phone number

- Appointment date and time

- Doctor's name, address and phone number

When requesting gas mileage reimbursement, download and fill out this form. Take it to your appointment and have your provider sign it, then mail it in to Modivcare. They will verify the appointment and mail you a check for your gas mileage reimbursement.

This is a great way to help with the costs of travel to medical appointments, especially those in other cities. This kind of travel can be a difficult added expense. Taking just a few minutes to use Modivcare can help tremendously financially.

F1S has a new Pepsi Market at the McClenaghan Building. Exceptional Education students from F1S work at the Market to assist customers, stock shelves, deliver orders and take inventory. They learn on the job skills to prepare them for future employment opportunities.

Check out the article below for pictures and more information about the ribbon cutting!

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of December? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161