2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Collaborating with other entities, Lancaster County First Steps helps Lancaster County families and caregivers prepare their children for school success by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver, enhance and expand high quality early childhood services.
Focus on the child, Support the family. Collaborate for impact, Build on strengths AND Embrace diversity.
Increase the reach of First Steps services throughout Lancaster County
Increase the number of children enrolled in high quality programs funded by First Steps
Provide programs and resources to strengthen families and ensure children arrive at school ready to learn.
Provide comprehensive services for vulnerable children and families to ensure children arrive at school ready to learn.
Increase community awareness and collaborations on the importance of early education and school readiness.
3901 Lancaster Hwy, Lancaster SC 29270| 803-286-8000| scfirststeps.org/Lancaster
$1 = $10.50 Lancaster County First Steps leveraged $1,935,696 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $9.50 for every state dollar invested FIRST STEPS IS HERE Last year, because of Lancaster County First Steps: 15000+ books delivered to families with young children 74% more likely to score at the highest level on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment 34% less likely to be chronically absent in kindergarten
A 2019 study found that children who received First Steps local partnership services were: 1,449 parents & caregivers received direct services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 2,009 children directly served in Lancaster County
PROVEN RESULTS
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anthony Howell Executive Director Lancaster County First Steps
As the new Executive Director, I look forward to serving SC First Step, Lancaster County First Steps and thecounty of Lancaster as a whole. Together, we will help build on the quality programming and services that arebeing provided to the people of Lancaster County. By working with current community partners and forging new partnerships, Lancaster County First Steps will stay committed to making Lancaster, one of the best places to live and raise a family.
For the 2022-2023 Programmatic year, added to our already stellar programming, we look forward to providing new services to families. First, we will be provided 4K service in a new state-of-the-art facility, “The Clyburn Early Education Center” in Kershaw. This facility will house up to three 4K classes dedicated to families in Kershaw. Also, in that same facility, we will be launching Parents As Teachers (PAT). PAT is a Home Visiting Model in which families have scheduled visits with a Peer Educator who will support the parents in becoming their child’s first teacher. Lastly, I thank you all for the opportunity to work with you and am excited about the great things we will do inthe future
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Jennifer Wright Chair Lancaster County First Steps Board of Trustees
First Steps has served and continues to serve Lancaster County for more than 20 years. It has been a pleasure to serve as the Board Chair over the last few years. Even through the transitions of the changes in Leadership that the organization endured, we remain proud to be part of a collaborative, caring network of local government agencies, strong nonprofits, generous businesses, great schools, engaged community leaders, and dedicated volunteers. Because of this support, our organization is positioned to continue to grow and bring quality programming to Lancaster.
We are firmly committed to growing and strengthening our connections and our impact in Lancaster County. We embrace our new Executive Director and look forward to continuing to work with dedicated staff, childcare partners and community partners, who worked so hard this last year.
We welcome you to join us as we embark on this new and exciting chapter in our community so that every child in Lancaster County is ready for school.
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Write your vision statement here.
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The Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) Program pays for childcare during the school year so eligible parents can pursue post-secondary education.
GREENE, PROGRAM ASSISTANT
To be eligible for the CCAMPIS Program, students must be PELL Grant eligible and maintain at least half-time enrollment at USC Lancaster. In addition, grant recipients must complete the Lancaster County First Steps Incredible Years® Parenting Program and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
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KELSEY
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Early identification and intervention can better prepare families, healthcare, and education professionals to support the development, inclusion, and active participation of children with learning disabilities or developmental delays. Our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program regularly assesses all children in our partner centers to ensure those with special needs and their families get the support and resources they need as early as possible.
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454 11,475
Seems like the families and children really enjoy receiving the food bags. It makes me feel better too because I know my kids will have something nutritious to eat over the weekend.
EHS LEAD TEACHER
Each week, teams of dedicated individuals add resource information and flyers to the backpacks and then help deliver them to the schools for children to take home with them, over the weekend.
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1,270 15,117
Imagination Library has been shown to improve child language and literacy skills, enhance home literacy environments; and increase the frequency of parents reading to children.
SHERRY BRADSHAW, EDUCATION COORDINATOR
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32 612
Most of our families are referrals. I enjoy working with them because it allows me to play a role in the reunification of families and/or provide them with actions to help improve the family dynamics.
KIM WEST, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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3 5 127 762
Countdown was a great opportunity to connect with the new kindergarteners and their families before they enter Lancaster County Schools.
CTK Home Visitor
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EARLY HEAD START CCP
Our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Program (EHS-CCP) provides comprehensive child development services for low-income families with children from birth to age 3, and pregnant women We partner with local childcare centers to provide 72 Lancaster County children and families with high-quality year-round early childhood education. All families receive comprehensive support services including developmental assessments, health, nutrition, and dental services, as well as referrals to community resources. .
HEAD START CCP BY THE NUMBERS 2021-2022 2 child care providers served 56 number of children 0-5 enrolled Childcare partners receive high-quality program materials, facilities improvements, outdoor learning equipment, evidence-based curricula, professional education and training for staff, and much more. 12
EARLY
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Community engagement and advocacy begin with increasing public awareness of the vital importance of early childhood education and inspiring a commitment to ensure every child in our community thrives Lancaster County is our family, and we love seeing generations of First Steps “kids” at local events and county festivals. We participate in business and civic organizations, partner with local schools and nonprofits, and are active in state and regional professional associations.
PUBLIC AWARENESS BY THE NUMBERS 2021-2022 materials events held distributed 27K 42 656 total event attendance 13
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Lancaster County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Lancaster County begin school ready to succeed. Weserve as a:
Community Partners 27 $300,000 Leveraged Value of Partnerships 14
Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Lancaster County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
Office of Head Start $1,854,235
United Way of Lancaster County $8,000
The Springs Close Foundation $72,963
USC-Lancaster CCAMPIS $30,000
Give Local Lancaster $1,525
Individual Donors $1,450
Duke Energy Foundation $1,000
IN-KIND SUPPORT
Dolly Pardon Imagination Library
USCL
Lancaster County
Library Early Head Start
Individual Donors.
JOIN US
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at lancastercountyfirststeps. org
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Imagination Library $9,219.35 $ $32,734.00 $ $41,953.17 Incredible Years $71,330.34 $ $ $ $71,330.34 Early Head Start CCP $ $1,682,157.00 $ $ $1,682,157.00 Countdown to Kindergarten $34,493.33 $64,054.01 $18,633.75 $ $117,181.09 Scholarship Innitiative $3,404.00 $16,944.86 $ $ $20,348.86 Nutrition Services $5,809.30 $ $84,370.00 $ $90,179.30 Early Identification Referrals $35,783.53 $ $ $ $35,783.55 Administrative Support $21,208.17 $ $ $ $21,208.17 Total Expenses $181,248.02 $1,763,155.8 $135,737.75 $ $2,0808,148 16 25% 75% Since inception, Lancaster County First Steps has leveraged $17,719,162.17 from sources outside of state government. That’s
every state dollar. Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
$3.18 for
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Wright, Chair
Nathan Cooper, Vice Chair
Jackie Harris, Secretary
Stephen Andrews, Treasurer
Dr. Carlton Rucker
Crystal Adams
Shirnetha Belk
Anna Henson
STAFF
Anthony Howell, Executive Director Leslie Sinclair, Office Manager Noah Philips, Finance
Kelsey Greene, Program Assistant Kim West, Program Coordinator
Amanda Steele
Celeste Graham Reo King
Charlene McGriff
Ashley Melton Rita Vogel Linda Blackwell April Williams
Allison Moore, Health and Safety Coordinator
Sherry Bradshaw, Education Coordinator
Yevonne Thompson, Curriculum Coach
Veronica Reed, Family Services Coordinator
Tatyana Stewart, Family Services I
Amber McPherson, Family Services II
CONTACT US
3901 Lancaster Hwy | 803 - 286 - 8000 | Lancastercountfirststeps. org
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Total number of documents printed: 16. Cost per unit: $15.80. Total printing cost: $252.86.
