The Connection

Classes are barrelling toward spring break! Hang in there and keep working hard! In this edition of The Connection check out some of the upcoming events like Family Time with the Phil on March 30th and the Exceptional Prom on May 17th! There are also 2 great parent training events coming up hosted by Family Connection SC!

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!

You are invited to join us for this free webinar for parents and caregivers of autistic children. Register today by clicking the link below!

Transitions Without Tears: Helping Your Autistic Child with Changes in Routine

Thursday, March 27, 2025

5:15pm - 6:30pm EST

This is the third in our new 10-month webinar series for 2025 provided virtually by experts at the National Autism Center at May Institute. Please stay tuned for future webinars.

ABOUT THIS WEBINAR:

An unexpected change in routine is often frustrating. A road being closed on your way to work, or the power going out during your favorite show, are occurrences people often find irritating. Transitions, interruptions, and changes in routine are even more frustrating for autistic children. This webinar will offer pragmatic suggestions caregivers to make interruptions, transitions, and changes in schedule more successful.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Willow Hozella, Ph.D., BCBA
Divisional Director, Clinical Services and Training

Register here!

Once you register, you will receive an email within 48 hours

to confirm your attendance and more information about the training.

Does your child receive services through DDSN?

South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) provides services to eligible children and adults with severe, lifelong disabilities. They serve people in 7 different categories of eligibility.

• Intellectual Disability
• Related Disability (i.e., a disability related to an Intellectual Disability)
• High Risk Infant
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Head Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Similar Disability (i.e., a disability similar to a head [traumatic brain] or spinal cord injury)

DDSN is an important agency for your child to be connected with for both now and in the future. To request DDSN eligibility:

• Call Toll Free 1-800-289-7012, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
• Have the following information about the applicant available:
  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Medicaid Number if Medicaid eligible
  • Home Address
  • Phone Number
  • E-mail Address, if available
• Plan to spend about 15 minutes on your call.

If you have questions or need assistance with this process call Erika Chapman at (843)-292-1008 or email at echapman@fsd1.org.

"Sometimes our kids might behave in ways we could chalk up to defiance, stubbornness, shyness, or low self-esteem. These behaviours, though, might actually be signs of anxiety. When a child is anxious, you might notice that they:

• have trouble sleeping or don’t want to sleep alone
• have trouble concentrating
• ask to stay home from school or other activities
• have stomachaches, headaches, chest tightness, sweating, or nausea
• avoid certain situations
• are fidgety
• speak negatively about themselves
• throw tantrums, are angry, or cry more that
• have a low appetite
• have muscle aches"

Check out this article from activelife.com for activities you can do with kids to help them deal with anxiety through play! And the short video below explains what anxiety is in a child-friendly way.

Visit the SC Philharmonic!

Get ready to embrace the magic of live symphonic music in a welcoming atmosphere where families can create lasting memories together. Freedom and fun abound with “Family Time with the Phil” – an inclusive concert-matinee that invites audiences to sing, dance, and enjoy the symphony without the expected barriers of a live performance. Whether you’re tapping your feet to lively tunes, singing along with the orchestra, taking a break to visit the quiet room or simply letting the music move you – this experience promises joy and excitement for the whole family. Did we mention there’s an instrument “petting zoo” and some off-duty service pups that you can meet?

This concert is now free!

When: Sunday, March 30, 2025

From 3:00 - 4:30pm

Where: Koger Center

1051 Greene Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Registration now open for our

Hopes & Dreams Conference!

Event Details: Thursday, March 27, 2025

R2i2 Conference Center (763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29229)

Join Family Connection SC for the annual Hopes & Dreams Conference—a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration designed for parents, students, and professionals. They are excited to welcome two keynote speakers: Tanner Smith, a South Carolina native who came into the public eye after appearing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, and "Quirky Kid" Amy Nelson, an autistic professional and award-winning author of Every Bunny Can Learn: A Tail of Inclusion. There will also be a wonderful array of workshops planned and CEUs available.

We are excited to share the details of our conference schedule. The day's agenda will include two general sessions and 15 breakout sessions!

Sessions Include:

• Decoding TEFRA & SSI: The Roadmap to Eligibility

• South Carolina Law for Families

• Empowered Parents, Stronger Schools: Leading Change in Special Education

• Disability Rights SC

• Your Voice Matters: Let’s Advocate for Kids

• Neurodivergent Play! A Different Way

• Hot Topics in Education Policy

• DDSN 101: Overview of Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

• Bridging Supports: Everything You Need to Know about Transition from Part C to Part B

• Life Care Planning: Making the Future More Secure for your Dependent with Special Needs

• Independent Living: Planning for the Future

• Educational Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness

• Exclusionary Discipline Practices in Early Childhood

• Autism & Medical Care

• March Into Spring With These School Tips

Attendees have the option to choose break out sessions on-site and do not have to
pre-register for their sessions. CEUs will be offered!

Limited Parent Scholarships are available—apply today!

Parent Scholarship Application

For more information, contact: Megan Branham

Learn more and register!

Save the Date!

Frozen in Time

Exceptional Prom

Mary 17, 2025

6pm-8pm

Staybridge Hotel

150 Westpark Drive

Florence, S 29501

For more information contact:

Melissa Heiden at mheiden@fsd1.org

Alician Timmons-Perdue at atimmonsperdue@fsd1.org

• Go outside
• Ask for help
• Create something
• Drink water
• Write about how you feel
• Take a deep breath
• Listen to soothing songs
• Stay present
• Find a positive distraction

@POSITIVELYPRESENT

Erika Chapman is the Florence One Schools Parent Liaison for our Program for Exceptional Children. Erika serves as a liaison between teachers, parents, students, support staff and the community regarding educational programs, services and student issues in areas of Programs for Exceptional Children.

You will receive our PEC parent newsletter, The Connection, twice a month. It's full of helpful information, announcements and the dates for all upcoming parent training events. Erika can help parents/guardians to connect to resources both within and outside of the district; as well as get connected to agencies like DDSN, fill out paperwork for Medicaid and understand your child's IEP.

The Parent Liaison website also has lots of helpful resources for families. On the website you can find all past PEC newsletters and helpful webinars on Understanding Your Child's IEP and All About Resources in the Florence area. Check it out!

Please feel free to reach out to Erika if she can assist you in any way! Her email is echapman@fsd1.or and her phone number is 843-292-1008.

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