Family Connection receives grant to expand Hispanic outreach program
January 14, 2013
COLUMBIA, SC – January 14, 2013 – Family Connection of South Carolina (FCSC), a nonprofit organization that provides support to families with children with special healthcare needs, announced today that it has received a $3790 grant to support its Hispanic outreach program.
The grant will expand the organization’s Spanish-speaking support to families in the Midlands, helping Hispanic parents with children who have special needs to find the healthcare resources and emotional support they need through parent support groups and one-to-one mentoring.
The grant is funded by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s outreach committee, which funds organizations that serve the critical needs of children and families in the Columbia area.
“Many of these families are here alone with no one to depend on,” said Hispanic Outreach Coordinator Adriana Shacklock. “We must speak for this growing segment of the population and help develop the same support structure that English-speaking families have access to, so that every Hispanic child with special needs has the greatest opportunity to succeed.”
Executive Director Jackie Richards echoed the importance of expanding the program.
“Family Connection is committed to reaching underserved members of our community and making a difference in the lives of those who do not have adequate access to healthcare information and resources,” said Richards. “This grant allows us to expand our pathway of support and empowerment to Hispanic families in our community to ensure these children get the best care possible.”
Family Connection’s Hispanic outreach program connects Spanish-speaking parents who have children with special needs and disabilities and provides free services to those parents in Spanish. The program helps parents understand the rights for their child’s health and well-being so that their child can reach his or her greatest potential. Parents also learn about local and statewide resources and how to navigate the healthcare system with more confidence.
Family Connection of South Carolina is a nonprofit organization that provides support, information and resources to families and professionals who care for children with special healthcare needs. The organization was founded in 1989 by a group of South Carolina parents who have children with disabilities and special needs with the mission to strengthen and encourage families through parent support. Family Connection is the S.C. chapter of Family Voices and the S.C. Maternal and Child Health Bureau Family-to-Family Health Information and Education Center (F2F). For more information, find us on Facebook and visit FamilyConnectionSC.org.
