Blog
A Guide To The SC State Programs That Aid Children With Developmental Delays
If you are reading this article, chances are, you are a parent/carer of a child or children who have developmental delays.
We understand how difficult it might be for you to support a child with developmental delays, especially if you lack the necessary resources, and if you are untrained to provide the right cognitive stimuli your child needs. After all, early intervention is the best way to improve the outcomes of your child when it comes to their mental, neurological, and behavioral faculties.
Most children only require basic learning modifications to address their particular needs, and with a nudge from specialists, caregivers can easily implement this on their own. But other children might benefit from a more specialized program provided by professionals who will work directly with the child and family for the child to flourish.
About Play and SC State Agencies
About Play is a longstanding partner to the SC State Agency programs that help parents with services and funding. These programs cover the costs, regardless of your income we provide the services and interventions needed, but you have to be approved first. So get in touch with the right SC program for you first.
The great news is that help is available for your child with developmental delays and you can easily access these resources in South Carolina for free!
BabyNet
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a child is born ready to learn and take in new things. The quality of nurturing and exposure to brain stimuli is especially vital during the first three years of a child’s life and this plays a huge role in their health and development later in life.The SC program you should start with depends on the current age of your child. If your kid is under 3 years old, apply to BabyNet.
The state of South Carolina established BabyNet in 1991. This is SC’s interagency organization tasked with early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with developmental delays who are under three years of age.
BabyNet provides families with a support system and all the resources they need to be equipped in dealing with the struggles of teaching children with developmental delays. Little by little, the parents will master the skills of being the best teachers for their children. The great thing about BabyNet is that it maximizes the environment where a child is comfortable and used to their usual routines (home or daycare), this enhances the child’s rate of learning and development.
If you take advantage of the services under BabbyNet, you will incur ZERO cost and all eligible children are entitled to the resources. You may also apply online through their referral system or you may call the central referring team directly at 1-866-512-8881.
Don’t fret, there are also services available for children aged 3 years and older. You can go directly to the SC Department of Disabilities & Special Needs (SCDDSN) or you may contact them at 1-800-289-7012.
Family Connection of South Carolina
Family Connection of South Carolina is a statewide initiative that advocates for policies in support of families of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities, including developmental delays.
This program is catered to provide families with a support system by playing host to a community of families with a shared experience to offer guidance and encouragement.
Family Connection offers a haven for parents of children with developmental delays to share their experiences, stimulate discussions, and inspire each other.
Department of Health and Environmental Control
Apart from keeping track of levels of pollution, coordinating disease control, responding to environmental catastrophes, and conserving the environment, the DHEC also promotes and provides healthcare services to children (under 18 years) who have a chronic illness, disabilities, and developmental delays.
Their plans and services include rehabilitation, hearing programs, oral and orthodontic programs, and even financial aid.
All of this might be a lot to take in. If you are a first-time parent to a child with developmental delays, this whole thing can be frightening to navigate. You are not alone.
For more info, visit the About Play referrals page on our website.
Recent Articles
Blog Categories
If you live in South Carolina and think your infant or child is experiencing developmental delays, we can help.
where do we offer early intervention services?
