2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
The mission of Lexington County First Steps is to support families in Lexington County so that all children enter school ready to learn.
• The years of early childhood are a critical window of development during which much of 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 the child’s success.
• Services must be individualized and adaptable to meet the unique needs of children and families.
• We value, and demonstrate in our collaborative work and advocacy, diverse perspectives in the development of public policy and programs.
1. Increase the reach of First Steps Services
2. Increase the number of children enrolled in high intensity programs funded by First Steps
3. Increase the availability of high-quality early care and education opportunities offered by First Steps
4. More children arrive at kindergarten ready for success
5. Reduce the racial/ethnic gap in kindergarten readiness
• Increase the number of children served
• Offer new programs for families
• Increase awareness of available services
• Enroll additional families in Parent as Teachers
• Track referrals made through PASOs contact
• Provide high quality professional development
• Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process
• Increase number of childcare staff served through virtual Professional Development
• Increase numbers served through early childhood home visiting
• School Transitioning Program
• Establish Evidence Base status for Countdown to Kindergarten
• Link immigrant families to available resources
• Extend Community Health Worker Program
• Improve board governance
101 West Columbia Ave., Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29006 | 803-532-6861 | http://lexingtonfirststeps.org
FIRST
STEPS
Last year, because of Lexington 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 = $2.59 Lexington County First Steps leveraged $945,947 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $1.59 for every state dollar invested 374 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 317 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 785 children directly served in Lexington County
IS HERE
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
James H. Riddle, Jr. MHA Executive Director
Lexington County First Steps
Lexington County First Steps (LCFS) began in 2001 and it has been defined as filling gaps, enhancing and enlarging services and serving the most at-risk children through the collective wisdom of collaborations and partnerships across Lexington County. There is a particularly strong relationship between LCFS and each of the county’s five school districts. Lexington County School District 3 has provided in-kind space for LCFS since 2004 and the District processes our payroll and benefits. We are indebted to Lexington 3 for this extraordinary partnership.
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an evidenced-based home visitation model used by LCFS since inception of First Steps. It is the flagship of our county services and is the largest PAT program in South Carolina, partnering with each of the five school district’s Parenting Centers.
Another long-standing home visitation program is Countdown to Kindergarten; a summer transition program for 5K students-to-be in the fall of each year. Due to COVID restrictions, this program was not offered in the summer of 2020. It returned in the summer of 2021, FY22.
Other Program Services include PASOS, an outreach for all immigrant families needing to navigate available services in Lexington County, This service is an outreach to Latino families specifically. Also, in FY22, child care providers’ training was coordinated thru Palmetto Shared Services Alliance. We also work with SCFS in 4K expansion to childcare centers.
3
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Mary Brooks, M. ED Chair
Lexington
County First Steps Board of Trustees
Director of Parenting/Family Services/CERDEP
Early Childhood Coordinator
Lexington School District Two
Countless research supports the urgency with which preschool aged children must be surrounded by rich experiences, not only in literacy and numeracy, but they must also have ample opportunities for motor development and social/emotional development in order to be ready for school. Lexington County First Steps strives to support families across the county in order to provide these types of experiences for parents and children.
Through programs such as Parents As Teachers, Lexington County First Steps provides highly qualified personnel to work with children and families prior to entering school. Our trained parent educators play a vital role in assisting parents with creating engaging experiences that are developmentally appropriate. They also provide valuable resources to promote school readiness as well as connections to local organizations that help support a child’s development.
Providing group connections across Lexington County in partnership with all five school districts builds community and strengthens protective factors for our children and their parents. Examples include: Riverbanks Zoo, Saluda Shoals, Edventure, and Kids Day in Lexington.
The Countdown to Kindergarten program in Lexington County allows for educators to develop relationships with families of the youngest learners in our community. This program assists with the successful transition of these children into the school environment.
It is a true privilege to serve on this board as I am confident that Lexington County First Steps is committed to making a difference in school readiness for our children.
4
Collaborating with other entities, First Steps helps South Carolina 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.
5
6 144 12
How to Talk with Parents About Challenging Behaviors
Peace & Calm Active Supervision Biting & Toilet Learning Emergency Preparedness Routines, Rituals, Traditions
Read Alouds are the Key Brain Development Safe Sleep Let’s Play & Friendship vs. Kindness 10 Mistakes Directors Make Indoor/Outdoor Play Push Past It!
7
728 374
13 21
8 47 8
252 1414
Parton’s mission is to foster a love of learning in children, making the experience of reading fun and meaningful. Imagination Library is now available in over 2,000 communities in the United States, Canda, the United Kingdom and Australia. Since the program’s inception in 1995, it has distributed more than 172 million children’s books to young readers.
9
110 1874 128
The resources my Parent Educator gives me and talks me through things has been the most helpful to myself and my family.
-Parents as Teachers Parent
10
15 28 145 880
The Countdown to Kindergarten program is good at building a relationship between student and teacher.
-Countdown to Kindergarten Parent
11
CONNECTED FAMILIES
Lexington County First Steps is excited to join forces with Duke Endowment on an initiative that promotes and strengthens families through referrals by Lexington County Department of Social Services. DSS refers families to LCFS, where they can participate in Parents as Teachers, an evidence - based home visitation program.
12
FAMILIES BY THE NUMBERS 2021 - 2022 7 families served 52 total home visits Connected Families staff will work to develop a relationship through honesty, respect, empathy, and active listening. • By Listening to families and recognizing their strengths and needs. • By being non-judgmental and meeting the family where they are. • By understanding the family’s cultural background, beliefs, values, and goals. • By facilitating the creation of a parent and child team.
CONNECTED
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Lexington County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Lexington County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
13
Lexington
THE NUMBERS 2021
4156 books distributed 131 events held 3,615 total event attendance “Today was a good day! The Countdown to Kindergarten event, sponsored by SC First Steps and highlighting our longstanding partnership with the Lexington Library, was a great success!”
County First Steps BY
- 2022
Marla Hamilton, Lex 1 Lead Parent Educator
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Lexington County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Lexington County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
14
592 Children Served Face-t0-Face 5190 Children Served -Parents as Teachers Parent
Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Lexington County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
State of South Carolina: 594,362
South Carolina Endeavors (formerly CCCCD): 2,000
United Way of the Midlands Unrestricted: 1,539
LCFS Staff & Board of Directors: 370 PASOS Latino Outreach: 57450
IN - KIND SUPPORT
Lexington One: 124,992
Lexington Two: 151,850
Lexington Three: 82,329
Lexington Four: 44,702
Lexington Five: 86,750
Total 490,623
JOIN US
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at
lexingtonfirststeps.org 15
State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Parents as Teachers 201 Evidenced Based 385,329 51,322 2,281 490,623 929,565 Connected Families 201-C Evidence Based 0 0 87,384 87,384 Child Care Training 605 Evidence Based 33,227 433 0 3,660 Countdown to Kindergarten 406, 407 Evidence Informed 29,362 97,382 0 0 26,744 Dolly Partin Imagination Library 212 Evidence Based 0 0 1,963 0 1,963 PASOS 909 Evidence I 0 19,103 22,942 0 42,045 Partnerships & Community Ed 180 60,987$ 1,240 6,500 0 68,727 Administrative Support 101 42,787 0 2,100 0 44,787 Ttl E 551592 169057 123603 490623 1334875 7% 93% Since inception, Lexington County First Steps has leveraged $9,570148 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.65 for every state dollar. 16 Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Brooks, Chair
Mike Taylor, Vice Chair, Ada Jane Setzler , Secretar
Beth Houck
Angie Rye
Leslie Hightower
Robin Jackson Kelly Poole Sharvon Banks Yolanda Boozer
STAFF
Mary Kennerly
Debbie Poole
Dan Reider Jeanette Samuels Amy Brant
Vickie Roberts Chanta Zeigler Julia Johnson Chelsea Headden
James H. Riddle, Jr., Executive Director
Pat Smith, Program Coordinator
Debbie Teer , Connected Families Parent Educator
Sandy Butler, Connected Families Parent Educator
Maria Perez, Community Health Worker
CONTACT US
101 West Columbia Avenue Batesburg Leesville, SC 29006 – (803)532 - 6861
17
Total number of documents printed: 24. Cost per unit: $13.87. Total printing cost: $332.86.
