Since the diagnosis, her goal has not changed; however, Melanie’s has taken on a more powerful approach with her children’s development and education.  Melanie has recently begun a new support group/playgroup, A Time to Play, that focus on play.  Melanie has contacted the local Fort Mill Library and businesses to get local support for children with special needs.  Melanie hopes that this group will also provide more socialization for her daughter and herself.  Her wishes are that all children with and without disabilities would come and play.

York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs: Encouraging Steps hosts a joint party one time a month with “A Time to Play” at the Fort Mill Library.  The LEGO party is hosted on every 2 Wednesday from 3:30-5:00.  A Time to Play also is continually scheduling play activities throughout the month.  For more information, contact Melanie at atimetoplaysc@gmail.com or look for her on Facebook.

There will be over 55 workshops offered with close to 70 presenters. Continuing Education Units will be available for nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, teachers, early interventionists, licensed counselors and child care workers. For information, brochure and on-line registration visit www.FamilyConnectionSC.org/annual_conference  or call 1-800-578-8750.

York County Board of DSN is an EXCITING place to work and receives kudos from both employees and those desiring to become an employee.  This is because of the consumers we serve.

Employees being interviewed are asked “why are you interested in working for YCBDSN,” and many times the response centers around wanting a position that is more rewarding and offers fulfillment.   Our agency supports both needs and offers opportunities for growth upon employment.  Two ways are listed below:

(1)    Supervisory academy – This program can assist employees without college degrees to advance to a supervisory position based on performance and experience.

(2)    Transfer Opportunities – This program assists employee with or without college degrees to advance or transfer to shifts that balances work and family.

The Agency supports the livelihood of over 300 employees in full time, part-time and temporary capacities.  We offer an attractive benefit package for employees in full time positions and flexible hours for those interested in working part-time and temporary positions.  We celebrate successes and  have fun at work with employee events, ie department breakfast/lunch for a job well done, pot luck lunches, safety fairs, consumer safety fairs,  employee award ceremonies, employee picnics and other employee events.

When exiting employees are asked “what did you like most at our agency,” 100% of the time the response is the consumers.

Employees with greater tenure with the Agency state, “We love working with the consumers, the work is challenging, keeps us motivated and makes us want to do a good job.”

So, why aren’t you working for our Agency?  We want good people who enjoy making a difference in the lives of others.   For entry level positions, the requirements are to have a High School Diploma/GED, a valid SC driver’s license and the ability to read and write legibly and to follow written or oral instructions.  We take applications Mon – Fri (except holidays) @ 7900 Park Place Road, York, SC  29745.  Candidates applying may be asked to participate in a survey either on the same date as application or another scheduled date.

The following is an announcement posted on the SCDHHS website under the “Media Room” tab as a “Meeting/Public Notice”:

“Renewal of the Community Supports (CS) Home and Community Based Waiver”

Meet:

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Time:

4:00 -5:30p.m.

Where:

SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
3440 Harden Street Extension, Room 251 A&B
Columbia, SC

Information concerning the renewal of this waiver will be available for review on the SCDHHS website, by Tuesday, January 10, 2012. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may email:  comments@scdhhs.gov.  All comments must be received by the close of business January 24, 2012.”

Although our kids are entitled to a “free and appropriate” education, many parents opt for alternatives and supplemental therapies for which they pay for themselves. These families can use the tax breaks under the medical expenses to cope with the costs. The tax code provides deductions for “ diagnosis, cure, mitigation, or treatment…primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness” (IRS publication 502).  This can include costs associated with a school or special program, additional therapies such as occupational therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, physical therapy, social-skills groups and hippotherapy (horseback riding) to name just a few.

There are additional items which can be counted if the educational program or therapy qualifies for a deduction: travel costs, food and lodging at a specialized school, cost for the parent to attend a relative conference. It should be noted that since these deductions are listed under the medical expense category they are subject to those rules. Medical expenses are deductible only above a threshold of 7.5% of adjusted gross income, or 10% for those who owe alternative minimum tax. Families with a flexible medical spending account can use those dollars for the same expense without a threshold. Remember though, due to recent federal  healthcare legislation the flexible medical spending account contribution limit drops to $2,500 from $5,000 in 2013.

Getting sound tax advice should be the first step for any family considering utilizing these deductions. According to Mike Walther, a tax advisor out of Deerfield, Illinois a family should:

• Establish the medical need for the special education or the therapy.
• Make sure that the treatment is prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
• Keep very detailed records supporting the deduction such as; prescription, cancelled checks, mileage logs and invoices.

Additional resources:

• IRS publication 502, Medical and Dental
  Expenses, which can be found at www.irs.gov
• Special Needs Alliance www.specialneedsalliance.org
• Talk About Curing Autism www.tacanow.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org
• National Down Syndrome Society www.ndss.org