We are all on this Earth for a purpose. For the staff of Family Support Services, this moment in our life is dedicated to serving people who have disabilities and special needs and their families.

One way in which we do this is to assist our consumers and their families to set and reach goals that will help them achieve a full and prosperous life.

Another way is to educate folks that people who have disabilities and special needs have the same feelings, desires, goals and rights as anyone else. 

The Family Support Services staff serves over 1800 people who have developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays, cognitive delays, head and spinal cord injuries in four counties: Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester. We serve people of all ages.

Most of our funding comes from state and federal funds. The use of these funds is very specific, extremely limited and only supports needs that they cannot afford and that arise directly from their disability.

We believe that people who have disabilities are more than just their disability. They live, love, have dreams and want to be part of a community. With that in mind, we feel it is our job to link consumers and their family to effective and cost efficient resources that will allow them the highest level of independence.

The Family Support Staff support and promote dignity, respect, health, safety, individual and family participation, choice, community relationships and personal growth. We pride ourselves in operating with a person centered philosophy and being responsive, efficient and accountable.  

This is our purpose.

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS

BABY STEPS
Baby Steps is the Early Intervention (EI) program of the Disabilities Board of Charleston County. Early Intervention is a service that guides families in helping their child (birth to six years old) grow and develop to his or her fullest potential. A thorough assessment is completed for each child every six months. The Early Interventionist assists in developing goals to be included in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Family Services Plan (FSP). Goals are met through special instruction and service coordination services. The parent/legal guardian directs all Early Interventionist activities. Choice of services and providers is always offered to each family.  Referrals are made through Baby Net, a program of South Carolina First Steps. For more information please call a Baby Steps supervisor at 843-805-5800.

SERVICE COORDINATION
Service Coordination (SC) identifies community resources and family strengths to assist in meeting the needs and goals of qualified individuals as outlined on their Support Plan. The Service Coordinator will assist the individual and family through the SCDDSN eligibility process. Once eligibility is established, the Service Coordinator will complete a global assessment and develop the Support Plan. The Support Plan is a working document that is completed every 365 days and is monitored at least quarterly by the Service Coordinator. The Service Coordinator will also assist in crisis intervention, advocacy, consultation and collaboration. Referrals are made to the University of South Carolina Center for Disability Resources. For more information please call a DBCC Service Coordination supervisor at 843-805-5800 

CHARLES WEBB CENTER
The Charles Webb Center is a developmental day care that serves children who have special needs and are from age 6 weeks to 10 years old. It is licensed by the SC Child Care Licensing Services and the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) provides full day funding for a limited number of children from age six weeks to three years old. The Charles Webb Center provides a USDA recommended breakfast, lunch and snack daily, parent resources, experienced staff certified in Child CPR and first aid, ABC certified classroom teachers, a staff ratio of 1:5, collaboration with speech, occupational, physical therapists, early interventionists and service coordinators. The curriculum is child centered and based on developmentally appropriate practices. It is individualized for each child addressing cognitive, social, physical, fine motor, and self- help skills.
The mission of Charles Webb is to aid in each child’s growth and development through an educational program, to develop each child’s sense of self-esteem, and to strengthen each child’s social, language and preschool skills. For more information or to make a referral, please call the Director of Education at 843-852-5545.

Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Community Opportunities Center
The HASCI Community Opportunities Center provides services to people who are SCDDSN eligible via the Head and Spinal Cord eligibility criteria. The program is designed to develop the consumer as he/she relates to his/her community. It is intended as a short-term, goal-oriented program that maximizes a person’s skills and talents to develop and maintainvalued adult roles in the community.  To get more information call the Community Opportunities Coordinator at 852-5550.

 

HASCI Vocational Interests and Productivity Program (VIP)
The VIP program targets individuals with moderate/severe cognitive and/or physical impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury or similar disability that desire to obtain employment or participate in meaningful employment alternatives. The VIP program aims to assist consumers in developing awareness of how their disability impacts their employment options in order to empower them to make informed job choices. The VIP program focuses on prevocational experiences to prepare the individual for formal vocational rehabilitation by identifying and pursuing personal interests, building work-related skills, and participating in volunteer experiences.  To get more information call the Community Opportunities Coordinator at 852-5550.

HASCI Rehabilitation Supports (RS)
Rehabilitation Supports are interventions and assistance provided to improve a condition or to promote/retain an optimal level of functioning in a person who has a head or spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Supports is provided in the individual’s home or any natural environment.  Individualized goals and objectives are developed based on assessed and prioritized needs in the areas of personal care, cognitive/independent living skills, medication management and symptom reduction, health and nutrition, self-esteem, coping skills, personal responsibility and self-direction, social skills and positive interactions with others, community living and peer relationships.  Rehabilitation Supports is one way for people with head or spinal cord injuries to learn greater independence, make choices and experience the benefits of community living. To get more information call the Community Opportunities Coordinator at 852-5550.

Home and Community Based Waiver
DBCC administers four Home and Community Based Waivers: The Mental Retardation/Related Disability (MR/RD) Waiver, The Community Support Waiver (CSW), The Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver and the Pervasive Developmental Disability (PDD) Waiver. Each waiver is a funding mechanism.  Each allows the purchase of services with Federal revenues (Medicaid) for eligible people. The focus of each waiver is to allow people who require institutional care to remain in their home with added supports.  The cost for Home and Community Based waiver services must be less than the cost for Institutional care. Availability of waiver slots is determined by SCDDSN. Services funded via a waiver must be based on need and cost effectiveness. For more information on Home and Community Based Waivers, please contact your Early Interventionist, Service Coordinator or an FSS Supervisor at 843-805-5800.

RESPITE
Respite is financial assistance for families who need short-term care for their family member. Respite is family arranged. Families may choose a Board certified respite caregiver or one of their own. Respite services are accessed through a person’s Early Interventionist or Service Coordinator. Funding is limited. For more information and availability of respite services, please contact your Early Interventionist, Service Coordinator or an FSS Supervisor at 843-805-5800.

 

 LOCAL FAMILY SUPPORT FUNDS (FSFs)
Family Support Funds provide assistance to families in caring for an SCDDSN eligible person in order to avoid out-of-home placement. This service is directed toward individuals and families who can care for themselves or their family member at home, but incur additional expenses due to the person’s disability. Allocation of funding will be prioritized to assist individuals and families with the greatest needs that, if not provided are likely to result in out-of-home placement. Financial information is required when applying for Family Support Funds in order to demonstrate that the cost of services and supports is above the families’ ability to pay. Family Support Funds are time limited.  For more information and availability of Family Support Funds, please contact your Early Interventionist, Service Coordinator or an FSS Supervisor at 843-805-5800.

INDIVIDUAL SUMMER SERVICE FUNDS (ISSFs)
Individual Summer Service Funds are available to anyone who is SCDDSN eligible. Individual Summer Service Funds are intended to give families choices other than summer camp programs that specialize in serving persons with disabilities.  Some appropriate examples are fees for lessons, one-on-one assistance, activities such as swimming, horseback riding, or other supportive recreational opportunities. Funding is extremely limited. For more information and availability of Individual Summer Services Funds, please contact your Early Interventionist, Service Coordinator or an FSS Supervisor at 843-805-5800.