The Connection

We hope you had a wonderful break and are ready to finish the school year well! In this edition of The Connection you will find a reminder to make sure Medicaid has your current address and a website that makes it easy to update! We also share registration info for the April AAC Family Engagement Group and some fun information about Autism Acceptance Month!

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!

Registration is OPEN for this year's Hopes and Dreams Conference!

Join Family Connection SC for an exciting in-person day of learning and networking. In addition to a keynote speaker, they will have workshops focused on mental and behavioral health, Medicaid, and education topics including preschool, accessing services, and post-high school transitions. We will also have exciting exhibitor tables highlighting information and services.

Keynote Speaker: Desmond Kelly, MD

Dr. Kelly is the Associate Dean for Research at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. He also serves as the Chief Medical Research Officer for the Health Sciences Center at Prisma Health-Upstate where he leads research development through engagement and support of clinical faculty in collaboration with HSC university partner researchers in transformative health research initiatives. He is the Associate Program Director for the DeLoache Fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics and Outreach Director for the South Carolina LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Program.

Learn more about Dr. Kelly

Professionals and Students Registration Link

Families, Foster Parents, and Self Advocates Registration Link

Does your child ever have meltdowns, or tantrums and you feel at a loss as to how to help them? Watch the video above for 10 great ways to start teaching them how to handle those big feelings differently. Or you can check out the article from Child Mind Institute to answer these questions:

• How can parents help kids calm down?
• How can kids learn to understand their feelings better?
• How can you make it easier for kids to behave?

Does your student use a communication device to assist in their communication?

Join us on Wednesday, April 19th for a virtual AAC Family Engagement Group at 10 am to learn more about ways to use your student's device and support and encourage their increased communication!

You can register here: April AAC Family Engagement Group

Attention Healthy Connections Medicaid Members!

Annual reviews for members will restart on April 1, 2023.

First, they will try to renew your eligibility with the info they already have. If they can, they’ll get a “continuation of benefits” notice. If they can’t, you will be mailed an annual review form. It’s very important they have your updated contact info!

There are three different ways you can update your contact and household details: online, over the phone or in-person.

Read more at www.scdhhs.gov/annualreviews ⁠

Person Centered Planning is a process used to help a student with a disability develop a plan for their future. The focus of PCP is the student and his/her strengths, goals, medical needs, support needs and desires. The student and their immediate support system help develop a team of people involved in their lives to come together and work as a team to develop a plan for their future.

This article from Parenting Special Needs Magazine gives more information on PCP.

Achieving a Better Quality of Life Through Person Centered Planning

You can also learn more about Person Centered Planning through these resources:

I'm Determined Project

Pacer.org Transition resources

The Arc Center for Future Planning

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of April? 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