South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS WORKS COLLABORATIVELY TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN START SCHOOL READY TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL WITH ENGAGED SUPPORT FROM THEIR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITIES.

EARLY STEPS TO SCHOOL SUCCESS-A TRAINED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR VISITS YOUR HOME AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM IS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE FIVE. 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. STRENGTHENING FAMILES-THE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM (SFP) IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED FAMILY SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR HIGH-RISK AND GENERAL POPULATION FAMILIES. PARENTS AND CHILDREN ATTEND 14 WEEKLY GROUP SESSIONS, LEARNING PARENTING AND LIFE SKILLS BOTH SEPARATELY AND TOGETHER. A WEEKLY MEAL PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SKILLS PRACTICE, PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT, AND COACHING.

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. CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS-CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES THAT QUALIFY. SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS LEVERAGES STATE, LOCAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF, AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN, HIGH-QUALITY PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

CORE FUNCTIONS/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS/PUBLIC AWARENESS

COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN-COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN SUPPORTS STRONG SCHOOL TRANSITIONS BY CONNECTING RISING KINDERGARTNERS, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS IN A SERIES OF ONE-ON-ONE VISITS DURING THE SUMMER. TEACHERS COMPLETE SIX VISITS WITH EACH CHILD'S FAMILY, FIVE IN THE FAMILY'S HOME AND A FINAL VISIT IN THE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM. WORKING TOGETHER, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES ESTABLISH STRONG CONNECTIONS DURING THE SUMMER THAT FACILITATE CLASSROOM LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.