2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
To help Florence County Families and caregivers prepare their children for school success by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver, enhance, and expand highquality early childhood services.
The years of early childhood are a critical window of development during which much human potential is shaped.
Families are the single most important influence on the development of their young children.
School readiness is the result of a child’s development in many areas, with each contributing to a child’s success.
By FY23, the percentage of children in need who are directly served by Florence County First Steps will increase from 25% to 30%.
By FY23, the percentage of children enrolled in high intensity programs will increase from 6% to 11%.
By FY23, the percentage of children under age 6 who benefit from Florence County First Steps quality enhancement and training efforts will increase from 4% to 19%.
1. Increase the number of children served by Florence County First Steps.
2. Families will have access to high intensity programs funded by Florence County First Steps.
3. Children will have access to high quality childcare facilities in Florence County.
415 South Coit Street, Florence, SC 29501| 843-629-0202| http://florencefirststeps.org/
FIRST STEPS IS HERE
Last year, because of Florence 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
A 2019 study found that children who received First Steps local partnership services were: $1 = $1.29 Florence County First Steps leveraged $119,99 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.29 for every state dollar invested 151 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 93 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 211 children directly served in Florence County
RESULTS
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Spencer R. Scott, MBA Executive Director Florence County First Steps
Since 1999, our mission has always been to serve the children of Florence County by helping families get resources they need to ensure their child's success in school and in life As we reflect on the 2022 fiscal year, COVID-19 continued to overshadow the year, as we slowly returned to normalcy, bringing its continued challenges, but also a renewed strength of the family
Florence County First Steps (FCFS) continued running our programs, following prescribed protocol to ensure the safety of staff, daycare providers, families, and children Our Child Care Training program slowly moved away from a virtual setting, and we were able to hold a total of 14 training sessions which were attended by some 59 teachers and directors Our Child Care Scholarship program served 26 children and 9 providers This program also provided 26 developmental screenings.
The Parent-Child + (PC+) Program in collaboration with Florence School Districts Three and Five served 27 families and provided over 1,490 total home visits The Quality Enhancement (QE) program, which works to help providers and daycares be the very best they can be, served 10 providers, with 150 Technical Assistant (TA) visits and helped 472 children FCFS is a key part of a resilient community who even when facing historic challenges strives to help the smallest residents, ensuring they have the support to get the work done.
Please know that every dollar invested into FCFS goes back into this community, and your support truly makes a difference In the words of Cornel West, “Education is soul crafting ”
R. Scott
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Spencer
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Nichole C. Echols, MA Board Chair Florence County First Steps Board of Trustees
Collaborating with other entities, the mission of the First Steps program has been to help Florence County families and caregivers prepare their children for educational success by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver, enhance and expand high-quality early childhood services As board chair, and being on the forefront of many non-profit organizations, I have had first-hand experiences seeing both the progress and positive outcome of the program.
While ensuring funding is available is a tremendous part of the success of the programs under Florence County First Steps (FCFS), putting the right people in place and ensuring they are equipped with the right tools is the most important factor FCFS has ensured caregivers, educators and facilities are preparing these children for the next big step in their lives.
I am elated to be a part of this movement. The board and I have had the privilege of working with the Executive Director towards a common goal Our meetings are informative, and fact based We review what is being done, lend advice and see the positive effects the programs have had on our communities and our schools Children are moving into kindergarten having a love for reading, being prepared to continue learning and with the mindset that the world is theirs to explore.
We all look forward to continuing this work and preparing and equipping the next generation for greatness. One of my favorite quotes from Plutarch says, "the mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled" As board chair, I will continue working with Spencer R Scott, the FCFS Executive Director to ensure that fire never goes out
Thanks to my fellow board members, the FCFS staff, and families involved. Special thanks to all the teachers, caregivers and coordinators that work tirelessly towards achieving the approach of FCFS – providing high quality programs and services for children and families We are a part of something great!
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Every child in Florence County will be prepared for success in school.
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$974.25
First Steps Director, Spencer R. Scott proudly displaying the AmeriCorp signage in front of Florence County First Steps Office.
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10 150 472
Programs that receive intensive technical assistances can receive high-quality educational materials for their classrooms upon completion of Environmental Rating Scale observations.
This classroom has received new materials for their 3k classroom as well as technical assistance with the arrangement of their new materials.
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I don't know how I would have managed without your help and support. Thanks for being a blessing in my life!
A.G.,
Child Care Scholarship Recipient
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9 84
59 22.25
Certified trainer Jan Peterson leads a rousing training for childcare providers. Training participants had the opportunity to learn about Singing and Signing and Brain Smart Moves
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22.5 26 59
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27 1490
As FSD3's 4K Coordinator and working directly with our ParentChild+ Early Learning Specialists, I get to see the benefits of our ParentChild+ program firsthand. ParentChild+ has played a key role in our community to help our children in school readiness and giving our parents the tools and information, they need to be their children's first educators.
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Tina Duarte, CERDEP Coordinator, Florence County School District 3
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Raising A Reader is a wonderful literacy program. The children and parents that I serviced enjoyed the program to the fullest. Families that participated in the program were excited on Mondays to pick up their books. I had many parents to tell me that they increased wither their reading times with their children, or they were compelled to start reading with their children.
Raising A Reader is raising the standard in learning and literacy!
Yolanda Moore, 4K Teacher, Angel's Inn Daycare
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Countdown to 4K gave me the opportunity to interact with my students and parents helping to build literacy skills as well as form beginning relationships.
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Stacey Gambrell, 4K Teacher Lake City Early Childhood Center
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As a home visitor, I see that Countdown to Kindergarten is beneficial in getting students and parents ready for school by providing them with the Countdown Toolkit and parent handouts that help them be aware of kindergarten expectations while getting them prepared for the classroom setting. You also get to meet with the students and families before the students enter the classroom.
McFadden, Parent-Child+ Early Learning Specialist/CTK Home Visitor
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Barbara
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for childcare providers, Florence County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Florence County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
Senator Mike Reichenbach, District 31 and SC Representative Terry Alexander, District 59 speak to guests at Florence County First Step’s Family Childcare graduation ceremony
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Children 0-5 served 32 Families served
Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Florence County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
State of South Carolina: $433,258 (through South Carolina First Steps)
SC Department of Social Services: $121,279 SC Endeavors: $2,500
IN - KIND SUPPORT
Florence School District 3
Florence School District 4
Kaplan Early Learning Company, LLC.
South Carolina Department of Social Services
South Carolina Endeavors
Florence County First Steps Board of Directors
JOIN US
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at florencefirststeps.org
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Parents Child Home $44,024 $0 $0 $0 $44,024 Raising A Reader $19,933 $ $ $ $19,933 HIPPY $0 $2,202 $0 $8,010 $10,212 Countdown To Kindergarten $0 $8,968 $0 $0 $8,968 Countdown to 4K $0 $2,503 $0 $0 $2,503 Childcare Quality Enhancement $94,756 $100,925 $0 $3,310 $198,991 Childcare Training $81,729 $0 $302 $0 $82,031 Scholarship Initiatives $110,680 $0 $0 $0 $110,680 Scholarships – DSS Initiatives $3,976 $0 $0 $0 $3,976 Core Functions $46,071 $4,411 $126 $0 $50,609 Administrative Support $32,089 $0 $234 $0 $32,323 Total Expenses $433,258 $119,010 $662 $11,320 $564,250 0% 100% Since inception, Florence County First Steps has leveraged $2,916,773.77 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.25 for every state dollar. 17 Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicole Echols, Board Chair
Phoebe Clark
Rev. Darren McClam
Dr. Belinda Cain Mary Howard Brittany Collins Jordan Waters Eleanor Flemming
STAFF
Orbree C. Friday - Widder
Sandra M. Sturkie Debbie Jones
Laura C. Marsh Kippie Brown Denita Davis
Rev. Pastor Martin Quick Gloria Bracy
Spencer R Scott, Executive Director
Anastasia Spann, Program Coordinator
Lana Hopkins, Program Coordinator Tiffany Allgood , HIPPY Coordinator
Edith Robinson, Executive Administrative Assistant CONTACT US
415 S Coit Street, Florence, SC 29501| 843 - 629 - 0202 | http://florencefirststeps.org/
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Total number of documents printed: 19. Cost per unit: $14.89. Total printing cost: $282.86.
