To fuel and inspire children emotionally, socially and physical in order to achieve their personal best in school through collaboration with parents, caregivers and communities.
By FY23, the percentage of children in need who are directly served by Hampton County First Steps will increase from 25% to 27%.
By FY23, the percentage of children who score at the highest level on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment will increase by 2% each year to 40%. Respect High Expectations Families Commitment PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN
INCREASE ACCESS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO PREPARE FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WILL ENTER SCHOOL AT A HIGHER SUCCESS RATE
Street, City SC 00000 | 000-000-0000 | website OR scfirststeps.org/county
301 First Street E, Hampton, SC 29924 | 803-943-7127 | www.hamptonfirststeps.org
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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DWANA DOCTOR Executive Director Hampton County First Steps
On behalf of Hampton County First Steps, we are gratefully humbled to present the 2020-2021 Annual Report highlighting our programs and successes. This year’s theme was “It Takes Inspiration to Create Imagination”. Having to adjust to the new normal, our goal was to inspire parents and caregivers to nurture children’s imaginative play. Despite continuing to face challenges due to Covid-19, our commitment to serve our children and families remains the same. While providing many of our programs virtually, safety and well-being of our staff and community continues to be paramount. We would like to graciously thank our community, stakeholders, and partners but most of all our parents who help us to continue our valuable work of getting children ready for school success! Yours in service,
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
VALAREE C. SMITH Chair Hampton County First Steps Board of Trustees On behalf of the Hampton County First Steps Board of Trustees, I extend greetings and many thanks to all of our community members, stakeholders, volunteers and partners. We are proud to represent Hampton County in getting all of our children ready for school success. One of our many highlights this year was proudly presenting a Little Free Library to the town of Yemassee, SC where there is no local library in the area or within walking distance. We realize that reading is one of the best ways to foster imagination, which relates to our FY20 theme for the year. It is our hope that as we continue the fight to defeat Covid-19, we will continue to do our part by providing great services to our families and community. Blessings to all,
Valaree C. Smith
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To empower families and children to pursue school readiness at their highest potential.
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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
PAT IN ABC COUNTY 2020-2021
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families served
affiliates rose to the occasion by engaging families in creative and meaningful ways while continuing to meet the Essential Requirements of
307
total home visits
implementing a quality PAT program during the pandemic.
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96
As a Countdown to Kindergarten home visitor, I enjoy every moment of being able to prepare children for a joyful learning experience as they enter school. The parents are always interacting and cooperative, which makes it even better. This is an AWESOME program and I wish every child could participate. It really makes a difference! R. Washington, Teacher Assistant
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Developing Positive Relationships Nurturing the Growth and Development of Early Childhood Leaders Pt 1 & 2 Preventing and Managing Illnesses in Early Childhood Centers Pt. 1 & 2 Promoting the Development of Scientific Thinking in the Early Years Pt. 1 & 2
Supporting Both Large and Small Motor Development in Young Children
307
97
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As hard as times are for childcare centers everywhere, we are appreciative of the efforts Hampton County First Steps has taken by providing us with educational virtual trainings. M. Franklin, Caregiver
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For many families in Hamp ton County, the cost of quality childcare is out of reach. T hroug h p artnering with SC Dep artment of Social Services, our scholarship p rog ram makes p ayments to childcare p roviders to care for children from low -income families so their p arents can return to school or work knowing their children are in a safe and
healthy learning environment.
Hamp ton County First Step s integ rates scholarship s with our Parents as T eachers p rog ram. Our p artnership offers scholarship s to families enrolled in our Parents as T eachers p rog ram, as well as income -elig ib le children whose p arent attends school in a training p rog ram , works at least 20 hours p er week or has a verified disab ility.
SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE NUMBERS 2020-2021
13
number of children served
4
number of providers served
15
number of developmental screenings provided
100% of the money paid to childcare providers goes back into our local economy to benefit the citizens of Hampton County.
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FIRST STEPS 4K IN HAMPTON COUNTY 2020-2021
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PREPARING FOR STATEWIDE EXPANSION With First Steps 4K, families are in the driver’s seat. They choose the program that best meets their needs. Families can enroll their child in any of the 244 private, nonprofit, or faith-based childcare centers or schools participating in the program. The majority of First Steps 4K providers offer 8-hour day and year-round instruction, including summers, which is at no cost to parents.
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Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to p roviding services to fam ilies and sup p ort for childcare p roviders, Ham p ton County First Step s m ob ilizes p artners and community memb ers to ensure all children in Hamp ton County b eg in school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
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Families served in Drive Thru Community Baby Shower
700 Diapers distributed
2K
People reached on our Facebook page during National Nutrition Month collaboration w/ The Healthier Liz
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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 , Ham p ton County First Step s leverag es state dollars to enhance and exp and services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT South Carolina First Steps - $200,000 G reenville T echnical Colleg e - $2,000 Children’ s T rust of South Carolina - $ 5 0 0
IN-KIND SUPPORT CODE 92 South Carolina Dep artment of Social Services Youth G eneration Matters W ade Hamp ton Hig h School Pearl’ s Profession al Alterations T he Healthier L iz: Wellness and Fitness G ym L owcount r y Food B ank Clemson Extension Ham p ton County Lib rary
Molina Healthca re Bundles of Joy Diap er Bank
JOIN US For more informati on on services and p artnership op p ortunities , visit our web site at www.ha mpto n fi rsts teps.o r g 14
Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
1%
Since inception, Hampton County First Steps has leveraged $888,890.91 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.21 for every state dollar.
99%
State Funding
Federal Funding
Private Funding
In-Kind Contributions
Total
Administrative Support
$18,189
$0
$0
$1,747
$19,936
Core Functions
$17,422
$953
$0
$747
$19,122
Parents as Teachers
$85.192
$2,000
$304
$5,322
$92,818
Countdown to Kindergarten
$4.232
$0
$960
$0
$5,193
Childcare Training & Professional Dev.
$15,854
$0
$1,750
$1,466
$19,070
Scholarships
$53,502
$0
$0
$14,592
$68,094
$194,392
$2,953
$3,014
$23,874
$224,233
Total Expenses
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Valaree C. Smith, Board Chair Nancy Deloach , Vice Board Chair LaQuitta Bowers, Secretary Bettye Bostick Chrissy Cook Jeremy Dunb ar T rina Drayton
Sharon Forester T iffine Forester Allana Holling swo rth Jessie Mock Martin Wrig ht Lillian Wrig ht
STAFF Dwana Doctor , Executive Director Victoria Powell, Parent Educator Starr Dunb ar, Prog ram Educator
CONTACT US 3 01 First Street E, Ha mpton SC 2 9 9 2 4 | (803) 943 -7127 | www.ha mpto n fi rsts teps. or g
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