South Carolina Office of Rural Health/Family Solutions of the Low Country

Family Solutions of the Low Country;s (FSLC) mission is to promote healthy lifestyles through education and social development while focusing on rural and underserved.

The Family Solutions of the Low Country (FSLC) team works to improve the health of rural and underserved women, infants and families. The work is done through a 3-prong approach: women, men, infants and families; clinical providers; and the community, including agencies, organizations, faith-based, & civic leaders. From 2007-2016, the infant mortality rate among African American babies in the agency's service area stood at 4.12 deaths for every 1,000 live births, compared to a rate of 11.9 deaths among African Americans babies statewide over the same time period. The key to these impressive results is tied to the cooperative efforts of FSLC staff, providers and community partners who are active participants in the Perinatal Action Network and Community Action Network. Each quarter, members of the Perinatal Action Network (PAN) meet to share strategies to address families' medical and clinical needs. The PAN members consist of obstetricians,pediatrician, nurse midwives,nurse practitioners, hospital obstetric unit nurses, public health nurses, childbirth educator, regional center nurses, lactation hospital nurse, nurse educator and FSLC staff. The purpose of the CAN is to provide advice and action to help improve individual health behaviors and to assist men, women, children and families in improving their health, health status and economic situation. CAN members consist of local agencies, grassroots organizations, retirees, faith-based, schools, universities, community-based and others.

Testimonials

Over its 20 year program history, Family Solutions of the Low Country has provided services to over 24,000 women and families in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton, and Orangeburg Counties.

"When you're a teen, haven't finished high school and you get pregnant, it's easy to think it's the end of the world. But this staff shows them they can rise above it, get an education and have a successful life. I hope by giving good medical care, I'm making as much of a difference as they do. The birth of a baby is the most wonderful miracle".

Patti Smith
Nurse Midwife, The Regional Medical Center
OB-GYN