South-Carolina
DSS launches ‘SC Boo$t’ program to support South Carolina’s childcare industry
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Department of Social Services is working to build support for an industry often unnoticed.
The agency launched a pilot program called “SC Boo$t” on Monday to battle the high turnover rate within early childhood education.
The incentive would provide bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 every six months to eligible providers.
The money will come from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program. It will be focused on childcare providers making under $24 and directors making less than $30.
“This is really going directly to the teacher, the ones that work with those children every day. We wanted to make sure we have a way to do that, for those individuals often unnoticed and not given credit for the hard work they do every day,” SC Endeavors Director Melissa Starker says.
The agency says the state is experiencing a dip in support for the field despite its vital role in raising a community. Starker says this is due to low wages which barely cover the amount of work childcare providers do in a given day.
The agency hopes the program will revive the industry and encourage hard workers to stay in the field. The overall goal is to improve the lives of workers and families and provide high-quality care for all.
“This boost allows them to see the value of what they’re doing, and they see the work they’re doing. We want to honor that,” Starker says.
SC Endeavors uses the South Carolina Early Care and Education Career Ladder to plan for professional growth in the early childhood field.
The program does have eligibility requirements and only direct care providers will be able to apply. The following qualify:
- Teacher
- Assistant director
- Assistant teacher
- Co-director
- Director
- Floater
- Non-teaching professional staff
- Non-teaching support staff
- Primary care provider
- Aide
- Curriculum coordinator
- Education coordinator
Substitutes, volunteers and intern positions do not qualify.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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