Resources for Families

Ages and stages

How your child moves, speaks, acts, plays and explores offer important clues about their development.

Learn the Signs. Act Early. Use the CDC's developmental milestone app to track and celebrate your child's developmental milestones from 2 months to 5 years.
How's My Child Doing? Find out with screening tools from Help Me Grow South Carolina.
South Carolina's Profile of the Ready Kindergartner describes the physical, cognitive, social and emotional signs of school readiness.

Information and programs that promote children's health.

Find your local public health clinic.
SC Thrive provides access to free or low-cost healthcare coverage (Medicaid) and other quality of life resources.
The Summer Break Café provides free healthy meals to children, 18 years old or younger, throughout the summer months.
The WIC Nutrition Program offers health education, healthy foods, breastfeeding support and other free services for families.
HealthyChildren.org is the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) parenting website.
InfantSEE provides free eye assessments for infants 6-12 months old.

Give your child a strong foundation by choosing a high-quality early learning program.

Visit Free4KSC.org to search for free full-day four-year-old kindergarten programs in private, community- and faith-based centers across the state.
Palmetto Pre-K is your one-stop shop for finding free pre-K programs in South Carolina.
The DSS Child Care Scholarship program makes child care more affordable for families by making all or a portion of provider payments directly to child care providers so parents can work or attend school or training.
SC Child Care Resource & Referral connects families with quality child care.

Act early if you have concerns about your child's development.

BabyNet is South Carolina's early intervention system for infants and toddlers under three years of age with developmental disabilities.
Family Connection South Carolina offers resources and support to families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Turn daily activities into learning opportunities for your child.

The Palmetto Basics are five fun, simple, and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life.
Use the South Carolina State Library's Day by Day Family Literacy Calendar to develop your child's early literacy skills.
Your community has lots to do and see! Search this map to find your local library and explore family-friendly places near you.
Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to museums across South Carolina and throughout the United States.

Services and resources are available to help you care for your family and yourself.

We all have a role in protecting children from harm.