Connecting families to the resources they need for their children to be safe, healthy and ready for school .
More children arrive at kindergarten ready for success
**By 2023, 50% of children will score at the highest level of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (Demonstrating Readiness Level )
*Integrity as we serve *Inclusive to the entire community *Informative to the community we serve
*Community partners and families of preschool children will be aware of what kindergarten readiness means and how to achieve this goal.
*Families will have the resources available to achieve kindergarten readiness. *Agency Collaboration (local agencies serving children 0-5 will work together to promote school readiness).
P.O. Box 1181 Union, SC | scfirststeps.org
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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Laura Wade Executive Director Union County First Steps
The mission of Union County First Steps is to connect families to the resources they need for their children to be safe, healthy and ready for school. Some of our recent accomplishments include the formation of the Union County Early Childhood Council , the completion of the Kindergarten Readiness Center at the Union County Library, and distribution of kindergarten readiness kits throughout the county. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the contributions of the Union County School District, the Union County Library System, United Way of the Piedmont, and the continuous support of various community members.
We look forward to continuing to work with our partners as we strive to accomplish our mission for the children of Union County!
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All children enter school with the
tools necessary to succeed
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PAT GOES VIRTUAL Due to COVID-19, Parents as Teachers (PAT) National provided guidance for affiliates to deliver virtual services via interactive video conferencing and phone calls. South Carolina PAT affiliates rose to the occasion by engaging families in creative and meaningful ways while continuing to
PAT IN UNION COUNTY 2020-2021
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families served
total home visits
meet the Essential Requirements of implementing a quality PAT program
When parents were surveyed about what part of
during the pandemic.
the Parents as Teachers program is most valuable, we received the following responses: 94% : relationship with my parent educator 88% : what I learn during visits 82% : materials provided and developmental screenings for my child
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814 8,296 Union County First Steps appreciates our partnership with United Way of the Piedmont. Imagination Library was funded through their generous sponsorship. (Beginning in July 2021, their sponsorship will support Reach Out and Read as our literacy outreach strategy).
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Countdown to Kindergarten is conducted in partnership with the Union County School District each summer. During the summer of 2020, we did not use this program due to the pandemic. The program was reinstated at Union County First Steps during the summer of 2021.
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Setting the Stage for Social Emotional Development
It Takes Little Muscles to Build Big Things Get Your Body Moving Building Your TEAM Meal Time Success Blood borne Pathogens The 5 C’s of Child Guidance Setting Up Your Classroom for Success
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FIRST STEPS 4K IN UNION COUNTY 2020-2021
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PREPARING FOR STATEWIDE EXPANSION With First Steps 4K, families are in the driver’s seat. They choose the program that best meets their needs. Families can enroll their child in any of the 244 private, nonprofit, or faith-based child care centers or schools participating in the program. The majority of First Steps 4K providers offer 8-hour day and year-round instruction, including summers, which is at no cost to parents.
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Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to p roviding services to families and sup p ort for child care p roviders, Union County First Step s mob ilizes p artners and community memb ers to ensure all children in Union County b eg in school ready to succeed. We serve as a:
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Early Childhood Council Meetings
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Kindergarten Readiness Community Events
Union County School District values our partnership with First Steps. We plan and work together throughout the year. Coordinating with them to host family engagement activities has been very beneficial to our Early Childhood program. Rhonda Hollingsworth Coordinator of Elementary Education Union County School District
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T hroug h p artnership s and collab or a ti ons , as well as financial sup p ort from g rants and contrib uti ons , Union County First Step s leverag es state dollars to enhance and exp and services to children and families.
FUNDING SUPPORT
City of Union: $750
Union County Schools (Title I ): $3,500 United W ay of the Piedmont: $4,800
IN-KIND SUPPORT U nion County School District U nited W ay of the Piedm ont
JOIN US For more informati on on p artnership op p ortunities , visit our web site at scfirststeps.or g or our Fa cebook pa ge: Union County First Steps 13
Expenditures of State Funds by Program Type 2%
Since inception, Union County First Steps has leveraged $1,465,174 from sources outside of state government. That’s $0.40 for every state dollar.
98%
State Funding
Federal Funding
Private Funding
In-Kind Contributions
Total
Parents as Teachers
$127,964
$2,000
$4,063
$29,053
$163,080
Child Care Training
$23,973
$
$750
$1,325
$26,048
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
$1,256
$
$
$24,801
$26,057
Countdown to Kindergarten
$2,861
$2,772
$
$883
$6,516
Partnerships & Community Education
$23,168
$926
$
$5,520
$29,614
Administrative Support
$15,842
$
$339
$7,910
$24,091
$195,064
$5,698
$5,152
$69,492
$275,406
Total Expenses
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nikki Burg ess, Chair
Wyshell G arrett
Amanda Newton, Vice Chair
Azalee G lenn
Rhonda Holling swo rth , Secretary
Malcolm Moore
T aylor Atkinson
Karl Penderg rass
Jan Carter
Rob in Rodg ers
Mickey Connolly
Pag e Rog ers
STAFF L aura W ade, Executive Director Joni L ong , Parent Educator
Karlie Canupp , Parent Educator .
CONTACT US P .O. Box 1 1 8 1 , U nion, SC 29379| 864 -4 6 6 -7 6 4 7
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