2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT
To help families and caregivers prepare children to succeed in school by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver enhanced and expanded high quality diverse early childhood services.
1. To increase the reach of First Steps services
2. Reduce the racial/ethnic gap in kindergarten readiness
The years of early childhood are a critical window of development during which much of human potential is shaped.
School readiness is the result of a child’s development in many areas, with each contributing to the child’s success.
1. Increase the number of children 0 - 5 years and their families served by high quality early educational services.
2. Improve the safety and well - being of children in Saluda County by strengthening families.
3. Increase community awareness and support of Saluda County First Steps programs.
S. Rudolph Street, Saluda SC 29138 | 864-321-1441 | saludafirststeps.org
FIRST
STEPS
Last year, because of Saluda 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 = $1.40 Saluda County First Steps leveraged $79,878 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.40 for every state dollar invested 37 educators participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children 1,143 parents & caregivers received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher 1,493 children directly served in Saluda County
IS HERE
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kim Chariker Executive Director
Saluda County First Steps
FY22 marks my third year as Executive Director of Saluda County First Steps. I have experienced such a great outpouring of support as I have grown and continue to learn in my position. Our community has rallied around to show support of our programs and collaborated with our efforts to enhance the quality of the programs being offered to the young children of Saluda County and their families. We have collaborated with the Town of Saluda to declare April of each year as the Month of the Young Child and promoted our programs at the community events throughout the year. Our involvement within the Saluda Service Network has allowed us to share our Vision, Mission, and Comprehensive Plan for the future of young children in Saluda County. We have extended our collaboration efforts with our Mayor, Saluda Police Department, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda Chamber of Commerce, Saluda Library, Westview Behavioral, Saluda DHEC, Saluda DSS, Saluda School District One, local churches, GLEAMNS, local physician’s offices, and donors. Their support and collaborations will ensure that the programs of Saluda County First Steps continue to reach our youngest children and their families, bringing about more early educational successes.
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Kim Chariker, ED
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Hugh Gray Chair Saluda County First Steps Board of Trustees
Saluda County First Steps foresees a time when every child will be prepared to succeed in school. As an active, dynamic group of change agents, the staff and board of Saluda County First Steps work diligently on the mission and toward this vision.
Over the next few years, our efforts will focus on objectives that will increase the number of children impacted by high-quality services, improve the safety and well-being of children, and increase community awareness and support of Saluda County First Steps. These ambitious goals demand dedication and commitment, but there is no shortage of those qualities in the Saluda County First Steps board and staff.
While we are working toward a community in which every child will be prepared to succeed in school, we know this change will not happen overnight. It will only happen through long-term dedicated effort of the Saluda County First Steps team – the board, the staff, and community partners. We truly are #OneSaluda!
Hugh Gray, Jr.
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Every Saluda County child will be prepared to succeed in school.
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6 1 10
169 17 34 5 37
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1,410 8 1,940
Our Literacy Library Program serves as our Library Based Initiative. It provides curriculum materials, other materials for services, books, a parttime summer intern and performers/entertainers for summer educational programs and virtual performances on social media and in person performances at our local theater.
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The program helped me bond with my child. It taught me ways I can effectively teach her, such as what books to read or even how to discipline. It also taught me ways to improve in what we think may be the smallest and simplest parts of parenting, such as food, television, outdoor activities, etc. Lastly it helped me develop a stronger sense of protection and safety for crises for my child’s life, as well as mine. I like how the program does not just focus on the child but the whole family overall. I would recommend this program to any mother. Extremely beneficial.
NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP MOTHER
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ENHANCED EARLY EDUCATION
Saluda County First Steps Enhanced Early Education program collaborated with Saluda School District One at Saluda Primary and Hollywood Elementary Schools to provide high quality educational support for 4K and 5K students in English and Spanish. The students are identified based on assessments and noted as in need of additional assistance to master skills for school readiness success. We offer one - on - one and small group enhanced early educational services. Students receiving these services are given books to take home every month, sometimes twice a month.
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51 children served 2 providers served ENHANCED EARLY EDUCATION BY THE NUMBERS 2021 - 2022
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Saluda County First Steps collaborates with other county agencies through Saluda Chamber of Commerce and Saluda County Sheriff’s Office sponsored events/festivals, the Town of Saluda and Mayor Herlong, Interagency meetings, special events, and other related opportunities. We promote the programs of Saluda County First Steps, distribute books to young children, and provide resource information, referrals, and educational materials as needed.
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SALUDA COUNTY FIRST STEPS COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND OUTREACH BY THE NUMBERS 2021 - 2022 1,122 materials distributed 48 events held 1,729 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, Saluda County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Saluda County begin school ready to succeed.
We serve as a:
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6068 Books Distributed 1122 Materials Distributed
Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Saluda County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
State of South Carolina (South Carolina First Steps): $200,000 South Carolina Endeavors: $2,000 Preschool Development Grant: $1,000 ESSER Grant: $3,125
First Book TD Bank Connectivity Grant: $1,000 Midlands Gives Campaign: $3,573 Private Donations: $1095
100% of Saluda County First Steps Board Members Support
IN - KIND SUPPORT
Saluda County School District One Saluda Chamber of Commerce
Saluda Town Hall – Mayor’s Office Saluda County Administration
Saluda County Library
Saluda County Department of Social Services
GLEAMNS (Saluda Learning Center)
First Books, Scholastic Book Clubs, Bulk Bookstore, & Books by the Bushel, Inc.
Amazon, Lakeshore, Kaplan Learning Company, Oriental Trading Company and Learning Resources
JOIN US
For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at www.saludafirststeps.org or contact us at kim@saludafirststeps.org
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State Funding Federal Funding Private Funding In-Kind Contributions Total Administrative Support $17,373 $0 $0 $2,100 $19.473 Core Functions $17,038 $1,000 $550 $5,614 $24,202 Child Care Training & Professional Development $27,198 $0 $746 $5,486 $33,430 Nurse Family Partnership $26,662 $0 $0 $7,640 $34,302 Library Based Program $20,701 $0 $252 $5,208 $26,161 Nurturing Parenting Program $23,450 $3,125 $0 $5,405 $31,979 Enhanced Early Education $65,373 $0 $1,000 $35,873 $102,247 Total Expenses $197,795 $4,125 $2,548 $67,326 $271,795 14% 86% Since inception, ABC County First Steps has leveraged $1,888,910 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.44 for every state dollar. 15 Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hugh Gray, Chairman
Heath Ward, Vice - Chairman
Lynn Padgett, Secretary
Dr. Harvey Livingston
Dr. Abbey Duggins Shanna Myers Candace Bush
Elizabeth Guevara - McCartney
Freda Gantt
Cynthia Howard Jennifer Campbell Angela Erhardt Perrin Bryan Christy Marshall
STAFF
Kim Chariker, Executive Director
Joy Burge, Program Specialist
Esmeralda De la Fuente, Bi - Lingual Program Specialist
Deb Padgett, Program Specialist
Sandy Butler, Bi - Lingual Program Specialist
CONTACT US
103 South Rudolph Street Saluda, SC 29138 | (864)321 - 1441 www.saludafirststeps.org | kim@saludafirststeps.org
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Total number of documents printed: 15. Cost per unit: $14.29 Total printing cost: $214.29.
