July 2017
Make Your Voice Heard!
Act NOW on Proposed Medicaid Changes

Your voice is needed NOW to ensure that children with disabilities and special healthcare needs continue to have the services they desperately need through Medicaid.

Right now, the American Health Care Act is being considered, and its impact would rip away health coverage from 23 million Americans, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

South Carolina would be one of the top states impacted. OUR children and citizens – more than 632,000 children in our state – would no longer have access to the care and services they need and deserve.
Zoe advocating for herself and others
at Sen. Scott's Office this week.
Management Team Changes in Greenville
Family Connection is pleased to announce two changes with its Greenville Area management team. 

Muriel Taylor has been named Greenville Area Manager. She will oversee the daily operations in Greenville, including parent support and area events. Taylor, who earned a degree in marketing from Clemson University, has been with Family Connection since 2003. She is personally connected because she had a sibling with a disability and her mother served as a family partner and support parent with Family Connection. 

Virginia Bikas has been named the Family Support Program Manager for the Upstate. In this role, she will help identify and serve families of children diagnosed with Autism. Bikas joined Family Connection in 2013, and was most recently serving as the Greenville Area Manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina Upstate and is the mom of two young children. Her oldest child is a NICU graduate.

5Ks Set for Columbia and Anderson

Join us to run, walk or stroll in the Family Connection 5Ks and help us promote active lifestyles for everyone!

The Columbia 5K is set for September 30 and the Anderson 5K is set for November 4. 

Thanks to Ainsley's Angels runners, those who cannot complete a 5K on their own can now experience the thrill of crossing the finish line.

The funds raised from these events will help provide:
• Support groups for families to share information, resources and emotional support.
• Family events that are completely accessible in a comfortable environment.
• Continued support for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.
Final days for Matilda Jane Fundraiser: Shop and Support our efforts Statewide
Shop Matilda Jane Clothing and help Family Connection of South Carolina support families throughout our state who have a child with a disability or a special healthcare need.

Just place your order online at http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/ NataliePotts by June 28. (Simply enter AMY when asked to search for your Jane at checkout so we get credit for the order.) 

If you are in the Columbia area, stop by our office and take a look at the clothes in person through June 28.

You get cute clothes AND the good feelings that come with supporting our work of #MakingConnections , #RaisingAwareness and #PromotingInclusion for those with disabilities or special healthcare needs.
Make Buddy Walk  Rock!

Registration for our 18th Annual Columbia Buddy Walk is now open. Get ready to rock and register your Rock Star today. 

Save the date for Sunday, October 22 at Saluda Shoals Park and start spreading the word to friends and family.

Kickoff Event set for August 5

Join us on from  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on  Saturday, August 5 at  Brussell's Gynmastics, 1674 Lake Murray Blvd., Columbia for the Buddy Walk Kickoff. Refreshments and activities for all ages will be on the playlist, with brief announcements about the walk.

RSVP to  Padgett Mozingo  by August 2 please.

Special thanks to Brussell's Gymnastics for being our first top level sponsor!
Upcoming Events in Your Area