To partner with organizations within and outside of Clarendon County to leverage and maximize resources to provide quality, research-based programs and services that will prepare Clarendon County’s children for success in school and in life.
The years of early childhood are a critical window of development during which much of human potential is shaped.
Increase the reach of First Steps’ services.
Increase the number of children enrolled in high-intensity programs funded by Clarendon County First Steps.
Increase the availability of high-quality early care and education opportunities available to Clarendon County’s families with preschool children.
It takes all of us working together to make a positive difference in the lives of our children! Parents are confident and capable in their role as the first and most important teachers of their children.
Preschool children have literacy-rich home environments
Children smoothly and seamlessly transition from 4-K to 5-K
Children are healthy, safe, and receive early care and education that enables them to be ready for school.
Street, City SC 00000 | 000-000-0000 | website OR scfirststeps.org/county
Post Office Box 426 Manning, SC 29102| 803-433-2848 |scfirststeps.org/clarendon
4
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sharon P. Williams
Executive Director Clarendon County First Steps
Dear Friends: Thank you for your continued support of Clarendon County First Steps and our efforts to promote school readiness in Clarendon County. Whether you participate in one or more of the programs we offer, refer families, partner with us to deliver services, or contribute financially and/or otherwise, we thank you! You are a valued member of our team, and your contributions have made a world of difference in helping us help our children. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and we look forward to the next step and many more steps as we journey on to make a difference in the lives of Clarendon County’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Thank you!
~Sharon
5
Every child in Clarendon County will be prepared for success in school!
6
PAT GOES VIRTUAL Due to COVID-19, Parents as Teachers (PAT) National provided guidance for affiliates to deliver virtual services via interactive video conferencing and phone calls. South Carolina PAT affiliates rose to the occasion by engaging families in creative and meaningful ways while continuing to
PAT IN CLARENDON COUNTY 2020-2021
38 758
families served
total home visits
meet the Essential Requirements of implementing a quality PAT program during the pandemic.
7
158 1,484 Books are 100% free to children in Clarendon County because Clarendon County First Steps secures the funds to cover the cost of books and shipping fees.
Sponsor a child for just $25 a year. Books children born in 2021 received include: Sassy: Bedtime for Baby The Pudgy Pat-a-Cake Book Baby! Talk! Look at the Animals Who Says Quack? The Pudgy Book of Mother Goose
The Pudgy Peak-a-Boo Book I Love My Mommy Because Baby Sounds Llama, Llama Hide & Seek I Love You, Spot Night-Night Forest Friends8
4
10
59
“When the first day of school finally arrives, Henry is raring to go. But first he has to get dressed, eat breakfast, and pack his brand new supplies.” Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! By Nancy Carlson
9
Safety & Supervision: Is Your Center Safe? Adverse Childhood Experience: Building a Circle of Security to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect Guiding Children’s Behavior Through Language & Literacy Understanding Temperaments Transition Time is Learning Time! Let’s Do Something Different! Determining the Meaning of Behavior in Infants & Toddlers Building Positive Peer Relationships Teaching Intentionally
506
179
8
Generally, there are five characteristics that describe an individual’s temperament: emotional intensity, activity level, frustration tolerance, reaction to new people, and reaction to change. Temperament describes how a child approaches and reacts to the world. The child’s temperament is a key factor in understanding their behavior and the way they interact with others. There are three general types of temperaments often referred to as easy-going, slow-towarm, and active/feisty. Temperament is not something a child chooses, nor is it something that a parent or caregiver created. A child’s temperament shapes the way he/she experiences the world. ~Robin McCants, Certified Child Care Trainer
10
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. I n addition to p roviding services to families and sup p ort for child care p roviders, Clarendon County First Step s mob ilizes p artners and community memb ers to ensure all children in Clarendon County b eg in school ready to succeed. W e serve as a:
“If you want to do something quickly and see it fade away, then by all means, go it alone. If you want to see real, positive, and long-lasting change, then we must come together and work together to create and foster the changes we want to see.” ~Dr. Myra Pearson, Jehovah-Jireh Outreach Ministry Clarendon County First Steps’ Executive Dircector and multiple Partnership Board Members serve on the County’s Community Coalition. The Coalition meets monthly and represents a way for organizations that serve the citizens of Clarendon County and surrounding areas to come together. Representatives from government, nonprofit, schools (public and private), the faith community, the business community, and others work together to identify community resources and address community needs. 11
T hroug h p artnership s and collab or a ti ons , as well as financial sup p ort from g rants and contrib uti ons , Clarendon County First Step s leverag es state dollars to enhance and exp and services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT Manning Rotary Club -$ 5 0 0 SC Center for Child Care Career Develop ment-$ 2 ,0 0 0
IN-KIND SUPPORT 4 -I mp rint Clarendon School District One Clarendon School District T wo Clarendon School District T hree K & H Resource Center Palmetto G oodwill Save the Children SC T hrive Summerton L iteracy Council
JOIN US For more informati on ab out how you can help Clarendon County First Step s to p rep are our young est and most vulnerab le citizens for school, contact us at: clarendonfi rsts tep s@ g m ail. c om.
12
Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type 10%
Since inception, Clarendon County First Steps has leveraged $1,641,135.28 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.40 for every state dollar.
90%
State Funding
Federal Funding
Private Funding
In-Kind Contributions
Total
$94,491.03
$3,700
$0.00
$108,078
$206,269.03
$141.00
$0.00
$2,776.53
$0.00
$2,917.53
Countdown to Kindergarten
$17,637.86
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$17,637.86
Child Care Training & Professional Development
$24,646.81
$0.00
$281.00
$0.00
$24,927.81
Partnerships & Community Education
$19,542.05
$1,999.74
$0.00
$0.00
$21,541.79
Administrative Support
$19,823.45
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$19,823.45
$176,282.20
$5,699.74
$3,057.53
$108,078
$293,117.05
Parents as Teachers Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Total Expenses
13
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Patricia “Darla” L ee, Board Chairp erson
Priscilla G reen
Dr. Myra Pearson, Vice-Boar d Chairp erson
Michael Jonas
Mary Coop er, Board Secretary
Jason Montg omer y
T am ara Alston-Hunter
Rev. W anda Nelson
Melissa Coop er
Faye Rag in
Kathleen G ib son
T onia Smith
Amanda G raham
STAFF Sharon P. W illiams, Executive Director
Our Parent Education & Support Team Kia Brown, Parent Educator , Clarendon School District One Anitra Hammett, Parent Educator , Clarendon School District T wo Della G uin, Parent Educator , Clarendon School District T hree
CONTACT US P os t Office Box 4 2 6 Ma nnin g , SC 2 9 1 0 2 | (8 0 3 ) 4 3 3 -2 8 4 8 | scf irststeps.or g/ c la re n do n
14