South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

SECTION 59-152-10 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE ESTABLISHED THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE, RESULTS-ORIENTED INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING, THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS, AND SUPPORT FOR HIGH- QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD ENABLING THEIR CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED.

FAMILY STRENGTHENING-FIRST STEPS WORKS TO INCREASE PARENTS' ABILITY TO STIMULATE THEIR CHILD'S INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITATION AND PARENTING PROGRAMS SUCH AS PARENTS AS TEACHERS.

SCHOOL TRANSITION-DEVELOPED BY SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS - AND IDENTIFIED AS A PROMISING STATE PRACTICE BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION IN 2005 - COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN IS A HOME VISITATION PROGRAM PAIRING THE FAMILIES OF HIGH-RISK RISING KINDERGARTNERS WITH THEIR FUTURE TEACHERS DURING THE SUMMER BEFORE SCHOOL ENTRY. TEACHERS COMPLETE SIX VISITS WITH EACH FAMILY, CENTERED UPON CLASSROOM AND CONTENT EXPECTATIONS.

CHILD CARE QUALITY-FIRST STEPS ASSISTS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS CERTIFIED THROUGH SC ENDEAVORS AND INCLUDE TOPICS IN THE AREAS OF NUTRITION, HEALTH AND SAFETY,CURRICULUM, CHILD GUIDANCE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHILD CARE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AIMS TO PRODUCE MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO YOUNG CHILDREN. ALSO, FIRST STEPS PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES SO THEIR FAMILIES CAN RETURN TO WORK OR SCHOOL.

HEALTHY START - FIRST STEPS RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY START IN MAXIMIZING BOTH SCHOOL READINESS AND THE LONG-TERM WELL BEING OF THE STATE'S CHILDREN. THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL PROGRAMS SERVE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SUSPECTED DELAYS IN DEVELOPMENT, ACTING AS A LOCAL PORTAL TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THEY MAY NEED OR DESIRE TO ENSURE THE SCHOOL READINESS OF THEIR CHILDREN. PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION - IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, BERKELY COUNTY FIRST STEPS MOBILIZES PARTNERS THROUGH THEIR TRI-COUNTY PLAY COLLABORATIVE AND BEE- COLLECTIVE MEMBERS TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN IN BERKELY COUNTY BEGIN SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED. OTHER INDIRECT PROGRAM EXPENSES