South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

PER SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION 59-152-10: THERE IS ESTABLISHED THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS, 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 EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD ENABLING THEIR CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED.

PARENTING SUPPORT: PARENTS AS TEACHERS-A PARENT EDUCATOR VISITS YOUR HOME AND PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES TO ENABLE YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS. PAT AIMS TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE PARENTING PRACTICES, PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND HEALTH ISSUES, PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, AND INCREASE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL READINESS AND SCHOOL SUCCESS. FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE-THE REAL FATHERS ARE DADS FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE WORKS TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THE FATHER HAS BEEN THE MISSING COMPONENT FOR MANY YEARS WITH OUR PROGRAMS, AND WE HAVE FOUND THE MISSING COMPONENT. BY USING THE HOLISTIC APPROACH AND WORKING WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE CHANGE HAPPEN. OTHER AGENCIES AND PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE STARTING TO SEE CHANGE AND WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS INITIATIVE. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM-AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PARENTING AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM THAT FOCUS ON PARENTING SKILLS, CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SKILLS AND FAMILY LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. THIS 14-SESSION PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR HIGH-RISK AND GENERAL POPULATION FAMILIES.

CORE FUNCTIONS

CHILD CARE: CHILDCARE TRAINING-A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND EQUIPS THEM TO ADVANCE ALONG THE CENTER FOR CHILD CARE CAREER DEVELOPMENT (CCCCD) CAREER FRAMEWORK, ADVANCE WITHIN THE ABC QUALITY SYSTEM, IMPROVE AN APPROVED MEASURE OF PROGRAM QUALITY AND/OR TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON A TOPIC- SPECIFIC FOCUS BASED ON REGIONAL TA COORDINATION MEETINGS.

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.