DDSN Announces Georgetown County as 2023 Recipient of Golden Palmetto Award

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is happy to announce Georgetown County as this year’s winner of the agency’s Golden Palmetto Award. County officials will be honored later next month during an annual meeting with the South Carolina Association of Counties.

“Georgetown County has demonstrated its continued support for people with disabilities in the local communities,” said Elizabeth Krauss, Executive Director of the Georgetown County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs (GCBDSN). “County leaders are always finding ways to make our community more accessible, and we are grateful for their efforts.”

DDSN’s Golden Palmetto Award is given annually to one county that provides exceptional support to citizens with disabilities and special needs, by putting this population first through various programs and opportunities.

Georgetown County has exemplified this standard in several ways, including its parks department’s Take-A-Kid Fishing Day and Take-a-Kid Surfing program. Both focus on inclusion for those with special needs, as does the department’s support of the local Hugs for Horses Therapeutic Riding program, which also serves those with disabilities.

In addition to recreational programs, Georgetown County employs those with disabilities, invites DDSN and related groups to speak at County Council meetings, and provides other platforms to spread the word about disability services. One shining example of this exposure is GCBDSN’s ability to raise more than $35,000 on Palmetto Giving Day, thanks to the county providing opportunities to share important messages.

“We have wonderful, dedicated partners in Georgetown County who really understand the importance of creating programs and offering services for our constituents,” said DDSN Commissioner Stephanie Rawlinson, whose district include Georgetown. “We can’t thank them enough for their hard work and look forward to future collaborations that will benefit the amazing people we serve.”

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates and funds services for residents with various severe, lifelong disabilities. Populations served include individuals with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities.

For more on DDSN’s activities and mission, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.