2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
All children can learn and have potential for academic, social, emotional and physical greatness. Family engagement is the glue to helping families grow and achieve. Collaboration with agencies and other non-profits helps us deliver sustaining care maintaining compliance with state standards and guidelines will enable us to obtain funding to provide strategies for children’s school success.
1. Increase the number of children enrolled in high intensity programs
2. Increase the availability of high quality early care and education opportunities offered by First Steps
3. Reduce the racial/ethnic gap in kindergarten readiness
1. Increase the number of children served by 20 families.
2. Increase the availability of early care and education opportunities and trainings.
3. Reduce the racial/ethnic gaps by increasing training, coaching and mentoring for childcare providers.
Street, City SC 00000 | 000-000-0000 | website OR scfirststeps.org/county
To prepare their children for school success by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver, enhance and expand highquality early childhood services.
P. O. Box 50399 Summerville, SC 29485 | 843.998.5505 www.dorchesterfirststeps.org
Last year, because of Dorchestor County First Steps: 74% more likely to score at the highest level on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment 34% less likely to be chronically absent in kindergarten PROVEN RESULTS A 2019 study found that children who received First Steps local partnership services were: $1 = $1.73 Dorchester County First Steps leveraged $215,935 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.73 for every state dollar invested 59 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 166 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 95 children directly served in Dorchester County
FIRST STEPS IS HERE
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Crystal Y. Campbell Executive Director Dorchester County First
Steps
I am deeply honored to be the Executive Director of this most essential organization. Twenty-one years ago, Gov. Hodges and his supporters had a life altering idea-First Steps. My staff and I are constantly working towards helping to build community and support the families and children in Dorchester. Our programming choices are strategic and sound, for we listened to the community and are diligently working to be support, change agents and advocates for those we are responsible to.
Our work for the past year did come with many obstacles and hurdles. “Life has not been no crystal stair” Langston Hughes, but with every adversity we were able to overcome and exceed expectations. Budget constraints caused us to have to make hard decisions about the building and personnel. Yet, we never missed compliance with the State Office or giving quality programming to our families. As you read this report, it is our hope that you will not only see the figures and data, but that you will feel our love for our families, DCFS and our beloved community. What you won’t see in the data is the dedication, time, strength, wisdom and knowledge of our staff: Alicia Turner, Ariel Taylor, Dr. Sabrina Marshall, AshleySabb, Courtnee Benjamin, Maria Michalet, Delores Footman, Roslyn Young, and our local partnership board. We are a force to be reckoned with…Do You Like Us Now?
Dr. Crystal Y. Campbell
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Chair
People are the pulse of this agency. From the Executive Director and her staff to the children and families they so wholeheartedly serve, each person is vitally essential. The board of directors has had the privilege to share in this fundamental work and to that end, has taken great delight in supporting the organization, particularly Dorchester County First Steps.
There are times that one’s dedication to a cause or mission risks being diluted by bureaucracy. This has never been the case for our county. We have unanimously rallied behind Dr. Campbell’s relentless efforts to always remember our mission and live out that same mission by prioritizing the children and families of our county. This unflagging commitment to Dorchester County First Steps is what has contributed to the data herein, attained despite unwritten challenges.
I am proud to partner with such a devoted group of individuals and consider this as time well spent.
Onward and upward, Dorchester County First Steps!.
Trimeka Johnson
Trimeka Johnson
Dorchester County First Steps Board of Trustees
Every Child in Dorchester County will have the resources that they need to be prepared for school success.
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6 44 3
1 920.25
$4,546.50
Delete the sample photo and replace it with a high-quality photo from your one of your programs. (Click Insert from the menu above and select Pictures.) Double click on the image and use the toolbar to crop and adjust the size. Edit this sample text to include a caption. The caption can provide details about the photo or provide additional evidence related to program effectiveness and/or client satisfaction. Adjust font size and layout as needed.
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Helping Ms. Sylvia with room arrangement
An example of how DCFS supports Child care facilities with our physical strength, early childhood expertise and best practices for family engagement.
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Parent Engagement Board
Awesome and I had a bad day yesterday my kids father put hands on me for the first time busted my lip and went and chased me with a knife and I called the cops and they did nothing because he played victim and I did not put any hands on him. So I’m sooo happy that I got approved so I can run away from this toxic world I’m living in at the moment. I’m soooo extremely grateful for [you] helping me and my kids out. This really means a lot.
Name withheld to protect the family
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3 42 13
We loved all of the great activities! I liked that I could use toys and items I already use in my center in new ways. I really enjoyed learning how to include children of all ages in activities rather than leaving out the younger children, it was so great to play and learn together!
K. Rodgers Family Child Care Provider
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28 2 15 4 28
I am so thankful for the trainings. My staff learned principles that they immediately applied in their rooms. We see a difference in our children as well.
C. Toombs, Director/Owner
It Takes A Village Child Care
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I enjoyed the information that was shared even if I knew some of it already. Being on Zoom was a little difficult and it felt at times that other parents wanted to use the time as a life vent session. I really love the spirit Ariel had for it and the hard work she put into each session.
M. Michalet, Elli and Dawson’s Mother
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41 759 16
My Parent Educator is always just a phone call away. I know that I have the support I need in helping my son transition to kindergarten while continuing to learn about my 2 year old daughter's development through fun learning activities and information that is helpful for our family. –Y. Hidalgo
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2 3 30 180
Countdown to 4K was an exciting and rewarding program for our son. It gave him the opportunity to help develop missing skills while strengthen skills that he already had and build on his love for reading. We are so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this amazing program and recommend it to all families.
Mr. B. Taylor, Parent of N. Taylor
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3 4 41 246
The best part of the CTK experience was being involved in my child’s learning experience every single step of the way.
S.D. Parent
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LITERACY KITS
An additional way that Dorchester First Steps is connected to the community is through the Literacy Kits housed within the public libraries in the community. The Literacy Kits are theme-based activity boxes that families and child care providers may check out just like they would a library book. There are over 170 kits available and we are still creating them to add to the collection. Each kit has several books and tangible educational items related to the theme. The activities are also age-appropriate and fun.
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648 # of times the Kits have been circulated DORCHESTER BY THE NUMBERS 2021-2022
be
Theme: Jungle & Rain Kits waiting to
refurbished
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Due to the complexities of Dorchester County, DCFS has discovered that the most effective way to raise public awareness and to share who we are, is to join already existing meetings and outreach events. We had a fabulous year of connecting with the community through the following events: Sweet Tea Festival, 2 Rotary Club meetings, political meetings, Healthy Blue, several Back To School events, Digital Share in Harleyville, Group Connections and Summerville After Hours Events just to name a few.
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DORCHESTER BY THE NUMBERS 2021-2022 855 materials distributed 12 events held 1000 total event attendance
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Dorchester County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Dorchester County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
The beauty of being a part of the community is that we partner with many different agencies, all of which desire to build the community. DCFS partners and/or collaborates with the following agencies: Florence Crittendon, Department of Social Services, Tri-County PLAY Collaboration, Tri-County Pyramid Coalition, Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, Trident United Way, Tri-County Cradle to Career, Bundles of Joy, My Sister’s House, Shelter Net, Healthy Tri-County, TACT, ONPA, Charleston Stage Company, Magnolia Gardens, Institute for Child Success, Carolina Teen Center, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, and Beidler Forest.
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Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, DORCHESTER County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
Coastal Community Foundation Sam Bellamy 24,000.00
Legacy Foundation Julie Walker, President 25,000.00 Humana Kenesha Robinson 1500.00
IN-KIND SUPPORT
Dorchester District Four Morningstar Storage Network For Good
Riverpointe Christian Academy New Jerusalem Triumphant Church
JOIN US
For more information visit our website: www.dorchesterfirststeps.org LIKE us on Facebook: Dorchester County First Steps
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Parents as Teachers $120,558 $7,192 $ $55,717 $183,467 Child Care Quality Enhancement $73,834 $34,950 $116 $ $108,900 Child Care Training $19,224 $ $ $ $19,224 Nurturing Parenting $ $41,543 $1,419 $ $42,962 Countdown to Kindergarten $8,497 $9,642 $5,926 $ $24,065 Scholarships $3.128 $ $14,490 $ $17,618 Partnerships & Community Education $5607 $204 $ $ $5,811 Administrative Support $60,206 $1,000 $3,281 $ $64,487 TotalExpenses $291,054 $94,531 $25,232 $55,717 $466,534 100% Since inception, DORCHESTER County First Steps has leveraged $1,998,598.00 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.28 for every state dollar. 22 Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Trimeka Johnson, Board Chair
Lisa Hart, Vice Chair
Almarie Scroggins, Secretary
Kathy Sanders
Rep. Marvin Pendarvis
Tasha Wheaton Barbara Phillips Hafeezah Yates
Donna Alexander
Senora Waiters
Sharon Bennett
Travis Schaffer
Ronda Simmons
Tracey Jackson Crystal Rouse
STAFF
Alicia Turner, PAT Program Director
Ariel Taylor, PAT Parent Educator
Dr. Sabrina Marshall, QE/QC & Scholarship Specialist
Ashley Sabb, QE/QC Specialist
Courtnee Benjamin, NPP Parent Educator Maria Michalet, Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Crystal Y. Campbell, Executive Director
P.O. Box 50399, Summerville, SC 29485 | 843.998.5505| www.dorchesterfirststeps.org
CONTACT US
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Total number of documents printed: 22. Cost per unit: $15.97. Total printing cost: $351.43.
