Smart Horizons Career Online Education and Palmetto Association for Children & Families offer pathway to educational success to at-risk students
Columbia, SC — The Palmetto Association for Children & Families (PAFCAF) has announced a new partnership with Smart Horizons Career Online High School that will provide scholarships to Smart Horizons to foster youth in need of alternative education nd/or career training. This unprecedented partnership will benefit foster youth throughout the state of South Carolina.
PAFCAF represents more than 40 child welfare agencies in South Carolina, most of which provide home-based care for foster youth. Many of these youth have struggled in traditional educational settings. Through the partnership, PAFCAF will offer scholarships to give students age 16 and over a second chance at completing high school.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us to provide better education and employment opportunities to our foster youth,” said Erin Hall, CEO of PAFCAF. “The children we serve include those who have experienced various forms of trauma, and often struggle in traditional schools. This unique partnership is a way for our system of care to continue offering a unique array of options that best meet the diverse needs of children and youth in our care.”
Smart Horizons’ educational programs will be offered online in the homes and group care facilities where the youth live. The scholarships will also include a career certificate in a vocational track to improve the youths’ future job prospects.
“We are thrilled to partner with PAFCAF to make an impact in the lives of these young people,” said Dr. Howard Liebman, District Superintendent of Smart Horizons Career Online Education. “Re-engaging at-risk youth into education is at the core of our mission. This is a great opportunity to help build brighter futures for the thousands of children in South Carolina’s foster care system.”
Agencies interested in applying for a scholarship for their youth please visit pafcaf.memberclicks.net/scholarships. Nominations are open Monday July 16 through Friday August 10, 2018.
About PAFCAF
The Palmetto Association for Children and Families was created in 1986 to unite the diverse agencies who serve children and families in South Carolina and give them a place to exchange ideas, gain knowledge, and work to address issues related to the quality of care given to children and their families. Member agencies have the ability to serve approximately 3,500 children at any given time. The challenges of caring for these children are great. The Palmetto Association for Children and Families works to promote the best care possible for children.
About Smart Horizons Career Online Education
Smart Horizons Career Online Education, founded in 2009 and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a private, AdvancED/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited online school district. District accreditation signifies that SHCOE and all of its schools are fully accredited and that SHCOE is recognized across the nation as a quality school system. SHCOE offers 18-credit, career-based high school diploma programs that are designed to prepare students for entrance into the workplace. Career certificate offerings include Child Care, Office Management, Hospitality and Leisure, Protection Services, Homeland Security, Commercial Driving, Retail Customer Service, Food and Hospitality, General Career Preparation, and Home Care Professional (coming soon). For more information, visit shcoe.org.