Federation of Families of SC Selected to Participate in National Demonstration Project

Project supports new statewide care model for children and youth with behavioral health disorders

Columbia, S.C. – The Federation of Families of South Carolina (FFSC), a nonprofit organization serving families of children with behavioral health disorders, was one of two chapters chosen by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health to participate in the Parent Support Provider (PSP) Demonstration Project. As a demonstration site, FFSC will receive targeted technical assistance and backing to grow their parent support workforce and services. The other participating chapter is the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health – Colorado.

“We are excited to be selected to participate in this national demonstration project to improve and expand our Parent Support Provider program,” said Diane Flashnick, executive director for FFSC. “The Federation of Families of South Carolina is committed to educating families and professionals about family-driven care and youth-guided services and this program is an integral part of these efforts.”

This demonstration project is funded by a $60,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

PSPs help parents and caregivers of children and youth whose families are impacted by mental, emotional and behavioral disorders express their own needs or concerns, provide education and teach skills to empower them to more effectively address the needs of their family.

In addition to the technical assistance with training, certification and participation with PSP, the FFSC will also receive five scholarships for the national Certified Peer Support Provider exam. This exam is a requirement for individuals to become nationally Certified Peer Support Providers.

The PSP program is a key component of the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care (PCSC), a statewide system of care focused on family-driven and youth-guided care. Led by state agencies, family service-organizations and parents of children and youth with behavioral health disorders, the PCSC champions a new approach where a broad array of services are coordinated across agencies with integrated care planning and management. It is designed to eliminate barriers to services, increase affordability and cost-effectiveness of services and involve families and local providers in decision making for services. While the PCSC is focused on improving outcomes for those children and youth with the most serious and complex behavioral health needs, the changes in system delivery will improve care for all children and youth in South Carolina with behavioral health needs as services are expanded, best practices are established and a more efficient health care delivery mechanism is established. PCSC will begin implementation in phases this fiscal year and is expected to be fully operational by July of 2016.

FFSC Selected for National Demonstration Project Page 2 of 2 “The Federation of Families of South Carolina has been an advocate for the services of parent peer support providers, a program that has proven to be beneficial in other states, and when in place, improves health outcomes and saves health care dollars,” said Tony Keck, director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “We congratulate them on being selected to participate in this national demonstration project and appreciate their involvement in the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care to ensure that the children and families of South Carolina have access to and receive the services they need to achieve safe, healthy and productive lives.”

About the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides health care benefits to more than one million South Carolinians. Its mission is to purchase the most health for our citizens in need at the least possible cost to the taxpayer.

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