Bamberg County releases comprehensive resource list for health and social services

Bamberg County will begin offering a no-cost medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program in partnership with Low Country Health Care System, officials said, with FDA-approved medications, medical monitoring, and behavioral health support intended to reduce barriers for residents with opioid use disorder. The county plans a countywide outreach campaign that includes billboards, radio messaging, and printed materials distributed through schools and community partners; for program information the county lists info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.

County Administrator Joey Preston framed the new program as a funded collaboration: “Bamberg County greatly appreciates Low Country Health Care System and SCORF for helping us obtain this grant, which is a critical investment in the health and safety of our community,” Preston said. Low Country Health Care System CEO Ashley Barnes provided a statement in the announcement, saying in part, “We are truly excited about our partnership with Bamberg County... We will provide the medical care, medications, therapy, and resources necessary to treat individuals... We want residents to know that we are a medical home for those who need us, regardless of the health [...]”

Health and clinic contacts across Bamberg County are listed for residents seeking care now. Low Country Health Care System in Bamberg can be reached at 803-632-2533. The Bamberg County Public Health Department lists 803-245-5176; Bamberg Denmark Family Health Center lists 803-531-6900. Primary care options include RMC Primary Care - Bamberg at 803-395-3600 and Denmark Family Practice at 803-395-3048, while Palmetto Care Connections is listed at 803-245-2672 for telehealth and coordination referrals.

For behavioral health and crisis needs, the Bamberg Department of Mental Health and the Bamberg County Mental Health Clinic are listed at 803-793-4274. Regionwide mental health lines include 844-SC-HOPES and NAMI South Carolina at 803-733-9591; the state CARE LINE (DHEC) is listed as 855-472-3432 for general questions and guidance.

Social services contact points include the SC Department of Social Services, Bamberg at 803-245-4363. Neighboring-county resources are also provided for cross-county referral: Allendale County DSS lists an office at 521 Barnwell Hwy, Fairfax, phone 803-584-7048 and toll-free 1-888-227-3487, with fax 803-584-7049 and email AllendaleWebsite@dss.sc.gov.

Seniors and transportation services are detailed through the Bamberg County Office on Aging. The Office on Aging can be reached at 803-245-3021; it offers hot, nutritionally balanced meal delivery five days a week to homebound clients and group meals and activities at Rhoad's Senior Center, where exercise, crafts, devotionals, music, and nutrition and health education are also provided. Exercise classes are scheduled Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Rhoad's Senior Center. Handy Ride, the county public transportation program, is booked through the Office on Aging at 803-245-3021, with a fee of $2.00 for every 10 miles and tickets available at the Bamberg County C.O.A. office; Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation requests use Modivcare at 1-866-445-6860 and the site requests a three-day notice.

Education and special-needs contacts include Denmark Technical College at 1126 Solomon Blatt Blvd, Denmark, phone 803-793-5176, described as a public, historically black, two-year technical college located in rural Bamberg County. Early-intervention listings include the Allendale-Barnwell Disabilities and Special Needs Board at 20 Park St, Barnwell, phone 803-259-7472, and BabyNet regional contacts with a listed local number 803-560-6425 and toll-free 866-512-8881.

Local nonprofit supports named in the resource list include Golden Harvest Food Bank; the Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg Community Action Agency; and CAM Outreach Ministries, whose Family Life Center provides family health education, case management, counseling, after-school programs, healthy eating promotion, and single-family mentorship. For MAT program questions contact info@bambergcounty.sc.gov, and for senior services and Handy Ride call 803-245-3021.