Children's Trust of South Carolina has launched scParents.org, a statewide resource for families searching for local services and supports.
Parents and caregivers simply enter their ZIP Code into the search bar to return an array of free and reduced-cost assistance in their communities, including parenting services, food, housing, financial and legal help, and health services.
“For so many parents and caregivers, the difficulty of navigating support systems can be frustrating and far too time-consuming, which can leave them feeling helpless and hopeless, especially during these uncertain times,” Children's Trust Chief Communications Officer Bett Williams said. “Now more than ever, we need to make it as easy as possible for families to connect with help in their communities.”
The website is powered by a national resource network called Aunt Bertha, which makes it easier for people seeking help to find social services in their community. The site also connects users to information about Children's Trust's or South Carolina's proven prevention programs, including the Strengthening Families Program, Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) and three home visiting models: Parents as Teachers, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Healthy Families America.
Nonprofit organizations that use Aunt Bertha through scParents.org can send and receive referrals directly on this platform. Working holistically, they can coordinate family assistance on a myriad of services to address food insecurity, health issues and transportation dilemmas.
“Families succeed based on the community in which they live, including the availability of resources to meet daily needs, quality of education, access to job opportunities, transportation options, public safety and social support,” Williams added. “This technology will give us real-time, on-the-ground insights into what is happening in specific communities.”
This tool is available at no charge to community-based nonprofit organizations. Organizations can register by visiting search.scparents.org and clicking “Claim a Program” in the bottom right of the page. Listing and claiming a program can be done quickly, and it gives community-based organizations the ability to update their services and contact information. It also gives access to free features like referral and outcome tracking, referral screening tools, appointments scheduling, and personalized analytics.
ABOUT CHILDREN'S TRUST OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Children's Trust is the only statewide organization focused on preventing child abuse and neglect in South Carolina. It leads and supports a network that shares the belief that all children should thrive, live in secure families and be surrounded by supportive communities. Children's Trust directs the state's coordinated efforts for the Strengthening Families Program; Triple P (Positive Parenting Program); S.C. Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative; Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Child Abuse Prevention Month; and KIDS COUNT. For more information, visit scChildren.org.
