Child Care Scholarships
Families may qualify for special child care vouchers, but only if the parent is employed, or is enrolled in a school or training program, or has a disability. ABC vouchers are always intended to support working parents and their families. Parents who believe they are eligible must fill out an ABC Special Needs Child Care Application. Special Needs applications are available through certain agencies; the locations where an ABC Special Needs Application can be obtained are listed below:
•Local county Departments of Disabilities and Special Needs
•The South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind
•The BabyNetOffice at South Carolina First Steps
•Children’s Rehabilitative Services -located at the county Department of Health and Environmental Control
Once the application is completed, the staff located at these agencies –usually an Early Interventionist, a Service Coordinator or a Referral Agent -will review the application to ensure that it is accurate and complete. All applications are forwarded to the ABC Special Needs Child Care Program located at the Department of Social Services. Parents will be notified about the status of their case within 2 weeks.
For questions regarding the SC Special Needs Child Care Scholarship Program, call: Donna Casteen at (803) 898-9735 or email her at: donna.casteen@dss.sc.gov.
ABC Quality
The ABC Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System helps providers achieve higher standards of quality in caring for the children they serve making higher quality services available to more families. This program also can provide funding for children from low-income families to attend child care so their parents can work, or attend school or training to obtain a job. Click on the logo to find out more information about this program or to locate a provider that is participating in this program in your area.
BabyNet
BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for infants and toddlers (birth-2) with developmental delays. Click on the logo to learn more about BabyNet and the services they provide.
Family Connection
Family Connection of South Carolina provides support to families of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities through a variety of programs. Click on the logo to learn more about Family Connection and the services they provide.
Pyramid PIECES
Pyramid PIECES is an umbrella organization of partnerships to support Pyramid Model implementation in different early childhood sectors. The vision of Pyramid PIECES is to promote social emotional well-being for infants, young children, and their families and to ensure they have access to developmentally appropriate, equitable, & inclusive learning environments.
South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network
The South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network helps parents find child care providers in their area. In addition, they provide training and support to child care providers related to overall program quality. Click on the logo to learn more about the services provided bySouth Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network.
South Carolina DSS Division of Early Care and Education
The Division of Early Care and Education of the Department of Social Services is responsible for ensuring that South Carolina’s children have a safe and nurturing environment while in child care. This website contains information for parents describing what types of care arrangements are available for children and families and how those programs are regulated. Click on the logo to explore information related to South Carolina’s child care system.
South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care
The mission of SCPITC is to support and promote high quality, responsive, relationship-based care of infants and toddlers as the secure foundation for their optimal development and well-being.