PIRC (Parent Information and Resource Center) is a program of Voices for South Carolina’s Children funded through the US Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement, Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) grant. Formerly the Parent Assistance Project, PIRC was introduced to South Carolina in 1997. PIRCs provide parents with training, information and support to help them better understand their child’s developmental and educational needs. These services are provided through a partnership with United Way Success By 6 and local school districts. PIRCs are located in Charleston, Beaufort, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington and York counties. Contact Heidi Vaughn, Director at 803-744-4029 for more information.

Voices for South Carolina’s Children, through grants from DHEC, coordinates two health-related awareness campaigns that focus on immunization and oral health. The immunization campaign, which has been ongoing for several years, focuses on making parents aware of the importance and availability of vaccines and educating healthcare providers in all corners of South Carolina about the proper practices in administering immunizations and the handling of vaccines. The impact of the immunization campaign has been tremendous. Voices continues to reach out to parents, healthcare providers and the general public on the importance of immunization. For more information on immunization go to www.scdhec.gov/health/disease/immunization/immunizations.htm.

The oral health initiative addresses the value of good oral health when pertaining to overall well-being. Dental caries (tooth decay) is the number one cause of chronic disease in children. Needlessly limited by a preventable disease, these children experience weight loss and fall behind in school and social development. Low-income families, especially children, are the most likely to suffer from dental disease and loss of teeth. Research shows a strong link between poor oral health and a variety of other serious health problems including heart disease and low-birthweight babies. • The campaign focuses on providing information about the importance of good oral health practices to the general public, families with limited resources and school-aged children.