2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Oconee County First Steps works collaboratively to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential with engaged support from their parents, caregivers, and communities.
More children arrive at kindergarten ready for success
Children Relationships High quality Results
Families are supported as their child’s first and most important teachers.
Families can access and afford high quality early care and education programs that meet the needs of their children and families.
Children and families can access and afford high quality programs and services regardless of race or ethnicity.
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135 E Main St, Westminster, SC 29693 | 864-985-379 | oconeefirststeps.org
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website OR scfirststeps.org/county
FIRST
Last year, because of Oconee 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 = $1.92 Oconee County First Steps leveraged $183,046 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.92 for every state dollar invested 107 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 1,294 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 1,309 children directly served in Oconee County
STEPS IS HERE
Executive Director Oconee County First Steps
Our Annual Report of Oconee County First Steps for 2021-2022 is filled with many successes, of how we’ve been able to work together with our community partners and agencies to get kids ready for school. We celebrated our 1ST anniversary as a local Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate. Over 12,000 books were mailed to 1,241 plus children in Oconee County every month. We can’t wait to see how this program will help to build great readers! This year we were also able to bring Nurse Family Partnership back to Oconee. This program is for 1st time moms. A nurse will connect with them and stay with them for 2 years. We appreciate so much the opportunity to have this great program.
Without the strong partnerships with other agencies in Oconee County we wouldn’t be able to exist. Thank you to Nurse Family Partnership, Palmetto Shared Services, DSS, DHEC, Oconee Library System, SDOC, Gunderson’s Outreach, The City of Westminster Police Department, Trinity Baptist Church and the City of Westminster. And special thanks to our Board of Directors for their commitment and passion.
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Chair Oconee County First Steps Board of Trustees
One of the most exciting programs we have partnered with is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It is amazing to have over 1000 children registered in Oconee County! More brain development happens in the first five years of life than any other time, and reading does so much to stimulate that development. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is such a worthwhile program, and I am so happy we are part of it. I also want to recognize our Executive Director Daby Snipes for the work she has done making connections with other agencies and organizations. Joining forces at various events makes the most of resources and opportunities to support families and prepare children for school. It is an honor to be part of an organization that strives to give families support to do the very best for our children at the most important time of their development. I encourage everyone to become a partner of Oconee County First Steps!
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All children in Oconee County will have the care they need to grow & develop to their highest potential.
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I am so thankful for the Child Care Scholarship for my child. As a single parent it is very hard working and finding the money for daycare. I’m able to work and go to school part-time because of the scholarship
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We partnered with Palmetto Shared Services Alliance to provide these training sessions.
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Child Abuse Prevention
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materials distributed events held total event attendance
Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Oconee County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Oconee County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
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Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Oconee County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families. We are truly grateful for the support.
Oconee Community Friends: $6,000
Formula Grant Funding: $200,000
ESSER GRANT FUNDS: $57,000
WIC GRANT: $12,500 Empower Oconee: $200
Prisma Health – Nurse Family Partnership
Palmetto Shared Services Alliance
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The City Of Westminster
The Journal, Oconee Publishing
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at oconeefirststeps.org
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Administrative Repot $19,567 $0 $391 $700 $20,659 Core Functions $23,016 $509 $0 $666 $24,191 Dolly Parton Imagination Library $28,345 $0 $3,992 $137,907 $170,245 Nurse Family Partnership $65,413 $12,000 $0 $10,638 $88,051 Childcare Training & Prof Dev. $25,060 $0 $0 $1,288 $26,348 Childcare Scholarships $47,768 $0 $0 $888 $48,656 WIC Nutrition Program $0 $5386 $0 $0 $5386 Total Expenses $209.171 $17,895 $4383 $152,087 $383,537 100% Since inception, Oconee County First Steps has leveraged $4,313,070 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.95 for every state dollar. 14
Kathleen Davis, Chair 8/21-3/22
Misty Lee, Vice Chair 7/19-3/22
Janis Young, Secretary
Katie Conlin Reg Tatum Dr. Lorilei Swanson
Susanne Evans
Summer Whitfield
Sharon Jenkins, DSS
Breanne Yoder, DHEC
Barbara Dyar, Secretary 8/21, Chair 3/22
Vanessa Earle, Vice Chair
Alice Lee, Head Start
Shanon Lusk, SDOC
Darcy Arnall, Oconee Library System
Stephanie Gentry, DSS
Annette Burney, appointed Molly Tannery, appointed Rev. Tony Vincent, appointed Nivia Miranda, appointed
Daby Snipes, Executive Director
Kindel Thomas, Consultant for Partnership
135 E Main St, Westminster, SC 29693 | (864) 985-8379 | oconeefirststeps.org
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Total number of documents printed: 13. Cost per unit: $15.16. Total printing cost: $197.14.
