Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
FOCUS - Family Options for Cherokee, Union and Spartanburg Counties - Cherokee, Union and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina have a disproportionately high number of children with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED). This is reflected in higher numbers of hospitalizations to state psychiatric facilities and high rates of abuse and neglect. In many ways, the three identified counties are a microcosm of the entire state. Some areas are very rural with declining populations and other areas growing with increasing economic disparity and the fastest growing Latinx community in the state, and these counties need support with expanding the infrastructure and capacity to provide intensive, community-based services to maintain children, youth and young adults in the least restrictive setting possible. While there have been multiple efforts to meet the social, emotional and behavioral health needs of the community, only recently have there been attempts to look holistically and develop a comprehensive approach to the overwhelming needs which are prevalent in our schools, emergency rooms/hospitals and the mental health clinics. With the leadership of the local United Way, the Mary Black Foundation, and many other community partners, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and the South Carolina Department of Children's Advocacy are proposing a comprehensive array of services and supports to meet the varied needs of this very diverse community. This proposal envisions a matrix of services and supports, across ages, and across presenting problems, utilizing evidenced- based and promising practices, in a full scale effort to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, behavioral health emergency room visits, out of home placements and improve the mental health of children and families throughout all three counties. The System of Care will work with the already-existing resources, identify service gaps and implement services and supports to fill those gaps. Specific areas of focus includes South Carolina's youngest, 0-6 year olds, those interfacing or involved with the Child Welfare System, and the Juvenile Justice System, frequent users of the only psychiatric hospital in the area, children in danger of removal from the home schools and community as well as those returning, and the older teens and young adults who need assistance to transition to adulthood. This proposal provides the community with an excellent opportunity to FOCUS (Family Options for Cherokee, Union and Spartanburg) on families with a project that reflects the voice and choice of the children, youth and families while improving the overall health of the communities where they reside.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).