2022-2023 ANNUAL REPORT
FIRST STEPS IS HERE
Last year, because of Beaufort County First Steps:
1,688 children
were directly served in Beaufort County
815 parents & caregivers
received services and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher
354 educators
participated in First Steps training and professional development, benefitting 500+ children
PROVEN RESULTS
A 2019 study found that children who received First Steps local partnership services were:
74% more likely to score at the highest level on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
34% less likely to be chronically absent in kindergarten
THE NEED PERSISTS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY
First Steps works but we need to expand our reach to ensure that all children are ready.
11,038 children under age 5
45.2%
of young children live in poverty or low-income households
66%
of kindergarteners are considered “not ready” for school
OUR MISSION To ensure that children start school ready to learn by supporting the caring adults who touch their lives.
Betty Washington Executive Director Permanent Authorization of SC First Steps, WOW, what a way the end the fiscal year!!! “First Steps Is Here” to deliver outcomes by giving communities local control to determine the best approach to ensuring families with young children have the tools they need to thrive. In this past fiscal year Beaufort County First Steps (BCFS) was able to sustain and strengthen its evidence-based programs i.e., Parents as Teachers, Early Intervention and Referral, Child Care Quality Enhancement, Early Child Training, and other program supports to meet the needs of our community. Serving more than 500 children this past year, BCFS staff and board have worked tirelessly to extend programs and service.The expansion of the PASOs program has been successful in reaching families that would likely have gone under the radar; over 160 families served this fiscal year through this program alone.. “First Steps Is Here” for children, families, childcare professionals, and our community.
Anita Lynn Singleton Board Chair Since 1999, Beaufort County First Steps have been dedicated to providing services to children and families that will ultimately aid in closing the gap on students’ readiness for success in our local schools. With the recent signing of Bill H. 4023 by Governor McMaster and the SC General Assembly we can be assured that our great state is committed to building a stronger early childhood education system. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I applaud the staff of Beaufort County First Steps for a job well done in the execution of programs which include Parents as Teachers, PASOs, Reach Back and Read, Health Services, Early Identification and Referral, Child Care Quality Enhancement, and TEAM Lowcountry- an annual Early Childhood Conference that brings together early childhood personnel for a day of professional development activities. We are also thankful for the support of our community partners. Without you, we would not be able to accomplish our goals. Thank you!!
PROGRAMS PARENTING
EARLY CARE & EDUCATION
Parents as Teachers
Quality Enhancement
Offers research-based curricula that help families raise children to be healthy, safe, learning, and ready for school.
10
children served
13
group meetings and events
106
home visits
Promotes quality in child care by providing early educators with one-on-one coaching and support.
412
children served
6
providers served
408
technical assistance hours
Supporting Care Providers Through Visits
Training & Professional Development
Site visits for home child care providers to encourage developmentally appropriate practices.
Certified and registered training hours for the early childhood workforce.
30
children served
3
providers served
81
provider visits
3,091 children served
Reach Out and Read
175
providers served
130
certified training hours
HEALTH
Site visits for home child care providers to encourage developmentally appropriate practices.
833
children served
1667
book distributed
The family immigrated from Guatemala with their 4 year old daughter. The family express themselves in their MAM dialect and have little knowledge of Spanish and no English. This has made communication very difficult, but, Karla was able to communicate with the family through drawings, phrases, and signs and referred family to Child Find and assisted with school enrollment.This mom feels so grateful, safe, and confident.
PASOs Early Identification & Referral Providing developmental screenings and referrals to other services.
182
children served
167
families served
1,176 materials distributed
WIC Serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5
227
families served
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS $1 = $1.51
Beaufort County First Steps leveraged $206,834.16 from sources outside of state government, providing a match of $0.51 for every state dollar invested.
EXPENDITURES
FUNDING SOURCES
Parenting - $146,188.29
State Funding - $405,176
Early Care & Education - $225,536.15
Federal Funding - $146,659.99
Health - $191,605.82
Private Funding - $35,513.9
Administrative - $70,678.75
In-kind Contributions - $24,660.27
Total: $634,009.01
Total: $612,010.16
FUNDING SUPPORT BY SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS State Education Improvement Act (EIA) Funding State READY Funding* Federal Preschool Development Grant Funding** Federal ESSER Funding*** State Income Tax Check-off and Private Donations to SC First Steps
*Resources for Early Acceleration and Development in Youth (READY) Proviso 1.105 **Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0080-01-00 from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, awarded to the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education ***American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, awarded to the South Carolina Department of Education
Serving Beaufort County’s children birth through age five. Our Local Supporters Born to Read $5,220 SC Endeavors/ Greenville Technical College $2,500 4 Imprint $500 Baptist Church of Beaufort $9.425 Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club $8,321 Hargray $639.90 Kaplan Early Learning Company $1,938.60 DSS Child Care Licensing & ABC program (TEAM Conference) $600 Betty Washington Elementary and Secondary School Andray Holmes CAO Associates (TEAM Conference) Lakeshore Learning SC Inclusion (TEAM Conference) SC Resource and Referral (TEAM Conference) SCHIMA (TEAM Conference) Wayfair $624.40 CAPA (TEAM Conference) Beaufort County Library Lobeco (TEAM Conference)
Board of Directors Anita Singleton
Carol Osborn
Tonya Allen-Jenkins
Alisa Johnson
Kelly Zytynski
James Williams
Amanda Dickman-Brewer
Yajaira Benet Uzcategui
Makita Fabian
James Simmons
Ashley Hutchison
Patricia Urriola
Olandor Lewis
Luz Yaneth Reyna-Colmenares
Nancy Pippins
LaChiana Hamilton
CONTACT US 703 Bladen Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 | 843-379-7837 | beaufortfirststeps.com