2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
1136 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180 | 803-635-1590
FIRST STEPS IS HERE
Last year, because of Fairfield 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 = $1.61 Fairfield County First Steps leveraged $123,496 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.61 for every state dollar invested 7 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 106 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 264 children directly served in Fairfield County
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Patti Wilkes Executive Director Fairfield County
First Steps
Following another year that has been covered in Covid, we have worked extra hard to be sure our services are available for all of Fairfield County. Working together with our board and partners, we have successfully achieved just that! We have been able to reach parent in need of diapers and other baby supplies, we have participated in local ‘Family Fun Days’ , and we have started having our Parent Workshops in person again. Getting out onto the neighborhoods and actually talking with people in person has improved all our programs. We look forward to a year of normal meetings and home visitation. Our role within Fairfield Forward allow us the opportunity to get our message out across the county to every different type of group. Our numbers served continues to grow. We expect this year to be one of our best yet. Join us!
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Darreyl Davis Chair
Fairfield County First Steps Board of Trustees
As the newly elected board chair of Fairfield County First Steps, I look forward to growing our board into a more working and involved board than ever before We fund a lot of programs to have such a small budget.
As board members, I see us getting more involved in fundraising and volunteering our time this coming year. I also look forward to getting to know more about the work that the Executive Director does day in and day out. I am confident we will enjoy another great year of helping the youngest citizens in our county.
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Every Fairfield County child will be prepared for success in school.
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6 1 18
46
Being a single parent is not easy. The help that the Tuition Assistance provides has taken a burden off of me. I am better able to handle other bills and not be as stressed about who is taking care of my child. I am forever grateful.
Trow
11 1 104
7
170 1997
Imagination Library is one of the best programs Fairfield County First Steps offers. It is open to all our children; it’s easy to sign up for; it’s organized; and the books are excellent ageappropriate selections. As a former librarian, I love knowing that children are receiving books each month!
Sarah D. McMaster, Board member and former Fairfield County Librarian
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24 342 12
PAT has really helped me a lot. Being a single first-time mom, the program has helped me to get to know my baby more. I also learn more ways to communicate I have more patience with my toddler. I like the fact that I can call my Parent Educator and ask questions and get the answer I need every time. ~Trow, client
The best decision I’ve made…one stop shop…if I had to sign up all over again, I would! ~ Tierra, client
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4 50 285
Having the opportunity to work with my students during the summer, prior to school starting, allows me to begin the process of building a relationship with both the student and parent. I also have the chance to learn about any deficiencies that might exist prior to school starting. The parents of my CTK students are comfortable with me by the time school starts.
Jalisa Wright, CTK teacher, Geiger Elementary
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1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN
The 1000 Books before Kindergarten program provides books to every K4 class in the county. We also provide take - home books for the students four times a year. Prior to Covid, we were able to visit the classrooms monthly. The plan is to get back into the classrooms again this year. Increasing the number of books in the K4 classes and getting books into the homes of these children is the goal of this program. Encouraging parent and child bonding, through reading, is vital for school success
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138 families served 140 children served 1000
BEFORE KINDEEGARTEN BY THE NUMBERS 2021 - 2022 6 schools served
BOOKS
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Fairfield County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in ABC County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
Families
Fairfield County First Steps serves an active and vital role in Fairfield Forward, our local alliance of community members, leaders and agencies that utilize collaboration and partnership to foster a culture of wellness within the community. The ED attends all meeting and keeps us updated on what is happening within her organization. She is also a longtime member of the board.
Vernon Kennedy, Sr., Executive Director of Fairfield Behavior Health Services and Chair, Fairfield Forward12
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served 119 Material distributed
Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Fairfield County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
United Way - $9827.23
Rotary of Winnsboro - $200.00
Fairfield County Farm Bureau - $1000.0
Central Carolina Community Foundation - $38.75
First Steps Board Members - $545.00
IN - KIND SUPPORT
Wells Fargo - $32,250.00
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library - $24,274.82
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/ fairfieldcountyfirststeps
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Parents as Teachers
Child Care Quality Enhancement
Other Family Literacy
$0 $0
Imagination Library
$0 $0
Countdown to Kindergarten
$0
Scholarship Initiative
$0
Partnerships & Community Education
Administrative Support
$0
Total Expenses
19% 81%
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of State Funds by Program Type
$67,293.88 $38,845.66 $10,450.48 $7,740.00 $124,960.02
$30,045.57 $2,041.00 $0 $4,031.00 $34,908.71
$5,481.48
$968.00 $6,449.48
$8,525.05
$26,09.82 $34,734.87
$22,471.94 $2,041.00
$4,193.00 $28,705.94
$33,825.51
$1,521.59 $4,031.00 $39,378.10
$9,029.45 $4,000.00 $360.00 $3,547.00 $16,936.45
$20,264.85
$16.78 $5,805.00 $26,086.63
$197,567.73 $44,886.66 $13,180.99 $56,524.82 $312,160.20
Since inception, Fairfield County First Steps has leveraged $1,582,573 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.42 for every state dollar.
Expenditures
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Darreyl Davis, Chair
Eric Robinson, Vice-Chair
Michelle Taylor, Secretary
Shameika Sims, Legislative Liaison
Misty Roberts
Jill Coleman Jimmy Burroughs Kay Hensley
STAFF
Patti Wilkes, Executive Director Michelle Beaufort, Parent Educator Keegan Johnson, Parent Educator
Sandi Gratic
Dee Mattox
T’Sheila Cooper
Mac Edwards
Connie Pete Sarah McMaster Melyssa Shepard
1136 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180 | 803 - 635 - 1590
US We’ve Moved!!
CONTACT
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Total number of documents printed: 12. Cost per unit: $19.76. Total printing cost: $237.14.