1. South Carolina First Steps EDEC608 Spring 2010 By: Madiha & Claudette

2. First Steps is community-driven. Participation in the First Steps Partnership and its programs and services is voluntary. Each county in South Carolina offers different First Steps programs and services.

3. South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness provides for public and private resources to help children ages birth to five prepare to enter school healthy and ready to learn. First Steps is committed to maximizing public and private resources to enhance the lives of preschool children and their families.

4. Richland County Vision Statement: Every child in Richland County will arrive at first grade healthy and ready to succeed in school. Richland County Mission: Through family and community involvement, RCFS will assist children to reach school healthy and ready to learn.

5. First Steps Goals: Improve the quality of child care Expand early education programs Provide access to health services Support Families

6. Populations Served: High risk children ages birth to five and their families Since its inception in 1999, First Steps has helped nearly 340,000 of South Carolina’s youngest children and their families get ready for school.

7. First Steps Programs: First Steps focuses on five broad strategy areas: Early Education Family Strengthening Child Care Quality Healthy Start School Transition

8. Early Education: 4-year-old Kindergarten (4K) Family Initiatives ex. 4K expansion program

9. Family Strengthening Parents as Teachers Parent-child Home-Program Early family literacy programs Helping parents further their education

10. Child Care Quality Quality Enhancement Staff Training and Development Child Care Vouchers Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H)

11. Healthy Start Early Periodic Screenings & Confirmed Diagnosis and Treatment Technical Assistance and Health Consultation for Child Care Providers Nutritional Education Pediatric and Postpartum Home Health Visits

12. Nurse-Family Partnership: Helping first time parent succeed with collaboration of: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and The Children’s Trust Fund of South The program is launching in: Anderson, Greenville, Lexington, Richland, Spartanburg, and Charleston. First-time mothers meet with a registered nurse early in pregnancy and nurse home visits continue through the child’s second birthday. Participant Eligibility Criteria: - First-time, low-income mothers - Expectant mothers between 16 and 28 weeks of pregnancy - Medicaid eligible www.nursefamilypartnership.org

13. South Carolina First Steps Baby Net Early intervention system for infants and toddlers under three years of age with developmental delays, or who have conditions associated with developmental delays. DHEC provides selected BabyNet services under contract with First Steps. DHEC BabyNet services include contacting families after a referral is made to BabyNet. rmorris@scfirststeps.org

14. School Transition Countdown to Kindergarten and Summer Readiness Initiatives: South Carolina First Steps and EdVenture Children's Museum To create awareness and knowledge for parents about the importance of home activities relating to literacy and hands-on learning leading up to kindergarten. To instills confidence in children who are about to enter

15. First Steps Partners Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina Trainings EdVenture Children's Museum Riverbanks Zoo and Garden SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics SC Department of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Services SC Department of Education SC Department of Education Office of Early Childhood Education SC Department of Disabilities & Special Needs SC Department of Health and Environmental Control SC Department of Health and Human Services SC Department of Mental Health SC Department of Social Services SC Department of Transportation SC Kids Count SC State Library SC WebSeek

16. Administrative structure Board of Trustees Office of First Steps to School Readiness The County First Steps Partnerships

17. Founding Sources: First Steps is state-funded and leveraging local private and public funds, federal grants, planned gifts, in-kind contributions, and volunteer time.