Williamsburg County First Steps Annual Report 2021-2022

Collaborating with other entities, Williamsburg County First Steps helps families and caregivers in our county prepare children for school success by maximizing public and private community resources to deliver, enhance and expand high-quality early childhood services.

• Focus on and prioritize young children, their families, and caregivers

• Cultivate positive, supportive, and respectful relationships

• Ensure all persons have the opportunity and resources to be successful

• Ensure programs and services are culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, delivered with fidelity, and excellence

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 1. Parents and guardians are supported as their child's first and most important teacher. 2. Families with young children will be made aware of readily accessible programs, services, and available resources offered through Williamsburg County First Steps. 3. Ensure children in Williamsburg County arrive at Kindergarten ready for success.

FIRST

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Felicia C. Patrick Executive Director Williamsburg County First Steps

Within our rural communities, many young children and families face challenges that can become barriers to our children’s academic and career success. Unfortunately, those who start behind often stay behind, leading to an achievement gap that persists into adulthood. Our best chance to closing the gap is to put children on the path to success in the early years – before birth and through age five – when high-quality early interventions have the greatest long-term impact. It has been our mission to implement programs that will build relationships, partnerships, and resources in order to assist families, break through barriers, and provide long-term impacts to our community. In order to accomplish this goal, we continue to strive to increase the reach of services Williamsburg County First Steps (WCFS) provides to children, families, childcare providers, and the citizens we serve.

The past few years have been filled with challenges and uncertainties with a greater need for resources within our own communities. WCFS’s positive impact on the children and families of this area can be measured through the success of our programs. WCFS will continue to provide opportunities to serve our children and ensure their readiness for school success. Our programs include Parents as Teachers (PAT), Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK), Countdown to 4K (CT4K), Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), Child Care Training & Professional Development (CCT), Supporting Care Providers through Visits (SCPV), and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY).

It is during times like these that I am proud to be a part of the Williamsburg County First Steps Partnership. We would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to our WCFS Partnership Board, Williamsburg County School District, partnering agencies, community members, parents and childcare providers for your continued support. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to our staff, parent educators, along with AmeriCorps service members, for always putting our families and communities first. I am honored to serve as Executive Director of the Williamsburg County First Steps Partnership.

C. Patrick

Felicia

Every child in Williamsburg County will have the resources needed to be prepared for success in school.

$12,990

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Williamsburg County First Steps SCPV Program has been an excellent resource for my center and the children that I serve. Mrs. Gamble and WCFS staff ensure that I remain up to date with paperwork and assessments and adhere to guidelines and up to date with regulations to ensure all licensing requirements are met. Mrs. Gamble, the parent educator, also assists with educational lessons, planning, donation and delivery of much needed supplies and materials, and assistance with the application process for additional funding grant opportunities.

Boyd, Director of God’s Creation Daycare

Mrs. Boyd received book bags filled with educational supplies for the children of God’s Creation Daycare.

Mrs.

Verlie Burgess Family Child Care attended WCFS Countdown to Kindergarten Community Event

122 9 21.75 17 41

Little Wizard's Learning Center (LWLC) began to offer operational excellence and caregiving to the Williamsburg County community in 2018 Since the doors opened, we have had the opportunity to showcase within our community our passion to create a unique educational environment, while instilling in children a love of learning that will never go away! The local partnership with Williamsburg County First Steps has been a tremendous blessing for Little Wizard's Learning Center as it has enhanced educational and family services with a higher-quality standard that educates children and their families on developing the "whole child". Meanwhile, teachers and staff have gained from the numerous professional development opportunities rendered by this remarkable agency. The LWLC Family is very grateful for the Williamsburg County First Steps Team!!!

Jennifer, Director

348 2,883

The program has helped my child in many ways, but I am extremely grateful for the books received. The books motivate my child to want to read more! Thanks for allowing my child to be a part of the program.

-Grateful Parent LP

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The program has helped me and my child develop a one on one relationship. We enjoy learning together. We enjoy the different techniques on how to make the lessons fun. My child loves to read to me and she likes it when I give her my full attention.

Mrs. Murphy, Parent

I absolutely love the Parent as Teachers program. It has helped me become a better parent. Everything about this program has been helpful and amazing for my family. The activities are the best! I love the way the activities are created and I can use items from my home and they are not expensive. The program is more than an education program, it's a family support program also. I love the program!

Ashley Washington, Parent

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Williamsburg County First Steps was the recipient of the Countdown to Kindergarten Community Partners Grant which sponsored a community event of food, games, rolling arcade palace, bouncy house, balloon man, prizes and door prizes.

Addressing the needs of young children is a shared endeavor. In addition to providing services to families and support for child care providers, Williamsburg County First Steps mobilizes partners and community members to ensure all children in Williamsburg County begin school ready to succeed. We serve as a:

The

to the families of Williamsburg County First Steps Parents as Teachers Program.

Through partnerships and collaborations, as well as financial support from grants and contributions, Williamsburg County First Steps leverages state dollars to enhance and expand services to children and families.

FUNDING SUPPORT

Williamsburg County School District Employees: $194.67

Williamsburg County Treasurer: $125

Williamsburg County First Steps Board Members: $1,150

Williamsburg County First Steps Staff: $100

Black River United Way: $3,277

Greenville Technical College (Cert. Training Incentive Grant): $2,000

Great Present AME Church: $100

Angela Fulton/Mt Zion United Methodist Women: $30

Mt. Zion Baptist Church: $100

Tiffany C. Cook: $50

Dr. Tyrone Wallace/Prime Care of the Lower Pee Dee: $25

Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America: $200 Embroidery Solutions: $250

Williamsburg County Education AssociationRetired Teachers: $300

Redmond Richardson Funeral Home: $100

Haselden Brothers: $25 Bank of Greeleyville: $100

Williamsburg County American Rescue Plan: $275

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Williamsburg County School District: $53,804

South Carolina First Steps/AmeriCorps: $39,991.02

JOIN US

For more information on partnership opportunities, visit our website at www.williamsburgcountyfirststeps.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pernerva Thomas, Chair

April Williams, Vice Chair

Kimberly Matthews, Secretary

Suanetta Tisdale, Assistant Secretary

Keisha L. McDonald, Treasurer

Pastor Josa E. McIntosh, Chaplain

Dr. La-Dine’ Williams-Gamble, Parliamentarian

Tamika Alford

Tara Bradshaw

Joe Castle, Jr.

STAFF

Amy Cooper

Verney Cumbee

Ruby Faison

Corey Frasier Dr. Janice M. Gamble

Jannice P. Gamble

Jackie George Jennifer McKnight

Jeff Singleton Dr. Ernestine Young

Felicia C. Patrick, Executive Director

Shakira Fulton, Program Assistant

Rochelle Gamble, Lead Parent Educator

Geneva Dorsey, Parent Educator

Buetine Pressley, Parent Educator

CONTACT US

500 N. Academy St. Kingstree, SC 29556 | 843-355-1031 | www.williamsburgcountyfirststeps.org