Program funded by The Leon Levine Foundation brings successful model to South Carolina
CAMDEN, S.C. (Sep. 22, 2026) — Sandhills Medical, with support from The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF), is now placing full-time mental healthcare providers inside select Kershaw County School District schools. Each participating school has its own clinician, on site every day, all year long, to ensure children have access to care without losing instructional time.
“When a child has a hard day on a Monday, that child needs someone on Monday, not the following week when a visiting counselor happens to be in the building,” said Amanda Duke, CEO of Sandhills Medical. “Having someone who knows these kids, who is part of their school every single day, ensures they have access to quality mental health support when and where they need it.”
Funded by a grant from North Carolina-based TLLF, the program follows a model already operating in schools across more than a dozen North Carolina counties, where placing a clinician in the school full-time has expanded access for students who might otherwise go without. Kershaw County is the first place it has come to South Carolina.
The mental health program is part of a broader, recently announced initiative between Sandhills Medical and Kershaw County School District that also includes access to in-school medical care.
For more information on available healthcare services and how to get started, visit the Healthcare at School resource page on the Sandhills Medical website.
# # #
About Sandhills Medical
Sandhills Medical is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) committed to breaking down barriers to healthcare for South Carolina’s residents. The organization provides quality, comprehensive primary care, behavioral health and pharmacy services—open to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. In 2025, Sandhills Medical won three National Quality Leader Awards and multiple Community Health Quality Recognition Awards, placing it among the top 10% of FQHCs in the nation. To learn more, visit www.sandhillsmedical.org
About The Leon Levine Foundation
Established in 1980 by Leon Levine, founder and former chairman of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., The Leon Levine Foundation empowers underserved Carolinians to be self-sufficient and strengthens Jewish communities. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation creates impact through grants and investments across North and South Carolina, supporting both long- standing community partners and focused strategic initiatives. The Foundation is on a time-bound mission to strengthen children and families, build strong futures for hardworking adults, and cultivate vibrant Jewish communities. Guided by Mr. Levine’s vision, the Foundation’s philanthropy is anchored in four enduring areas of impact: education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values.
