Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina (FCP) thanks South Carolina legislators and the Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for allocating $500,000 for FCP’s maternity group home program.
“We applaud Rep. Wendell Gilliard and state leaders for their dedication to ensuring young mothers have the support they need to achieve independence,” said Cheryl O’Donnell, Executive Director of Florence Crittenton. “This financial support is crucial in ensuring they have a safe place to raise their child and an opportunity to finish their education.”
For over 125 years, the FCP Residential Program has provided services to address the unique needs of pregnant and parenting teens to support their journey toward becoming self-sufficient parents. Florence Crittenton is the state’s only licensed group home for pregnant and parenting teens under the age of 18. The organization is open 365 days a year, providing 24-hour trauma-informed support and supervision for pregnant and parenting teens between the ages of 10-21 and their infants up to 2 years of age.
Funding will cover housing expenses, as well as case management, education and career development support, parenting education, and life skills support. In 2022, 90% of residents made educational improvements, 100% improved employment readiness skills, and 96% improved parenting skills.
Located in downtown Charleston, SC, Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina has been serving the entire state of South Carolina since 1897. Florence Crittenton’s mission is to provide hope, safety, and opportunity to young women in order to instill self-worth and self-sufficiency. Florence Crittenton values the right of every young woman to obtain the education, skills, and support needed to have a healthy life – for today and tomorrow.