South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

SOUTH CAROLINA 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.

CHILDCARE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT-A PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE CONSULTATION/COACHING AND MENTORING. COACHING AND CONSULTATION AND MENTORING INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF BEHAVIORS INCLUDING SPECIFIC AND DIRECT FEEDBACK, ACTION PLANNING, MODELING, REVIEWING, ROLE-PLAYING AND GOAL SETTING. CHILDCARE TRAINING-A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND EQUIPS THEM TO ADVANCE ALONG THE CENTER FOR CHILD CARE CAREER DEVELOPMENT (CCCCD) CAREER FRAMEWORK, ADVANCE WITHIN THE ABC QUALITY SYSTEM, IMPROVE AN APPROVED MEASURE OF PROGRAM QUALITY AND/OR TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON A TOPIC- SPECIFIC FOCUS BASED ON REGIONAL TA COORDINATION MEETINGS. CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS-CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES THAT QUALIFY. SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS LEVERAGES STATE, LOCAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF, AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN, HIGH-QUALITY PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP-A REGISTERED NURSE VISITS YOUR HOME TO PROVIDE PARENTING, HEALTH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT BEGINNING DURING THE SECOND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY AND LASTING UNTIL YOUR CHILD'S SECOND BIRTHDAY. YOUR FAMILY WILL RECEIVE 64 TOTAL VISITS BY A REGISTERED NURSE OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. THIS PROGRAM IS FOR FIRST-TIME, LOW-INCOME MOTHERS. NURTURING PARENTING-FAMILY-BASED PROGRAMS DEVELOPED TO HELP FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR PAST CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR REOCCURRENCE. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE A PARENT'S SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT, EMPATHY, BONDING AND ATTACHMENT, INCREASE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO HARSH AND ABUSIVE DISCIPLINE, INCREASE THE PARENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPECTATIONS AND REDUCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY-A BOOK GIFTING PROGRAM THAT MAILS FREE, HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH UNTIL THEY BEGIN SCHOOL, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME.

FAMILY LITERACY-FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS OFFER AN INTEGRATED AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY APPROACH, HELPING BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN IMPROVE THEIR LITERACY SKILLS. FAMILY LITERACY SERVICES INTEGRATE ALL THE FOLLOWING: ADULT EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PARENT EDUCATION, AND INTERACTIVE PARENT/CHILD ACTIVITIES.

COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN-COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN SUPPORTS STRONG SCHOOL TRANSITIONS BY CONNECTING RISING KINDERGARTNERS, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS IN A SERIES OF ONE-ON-ONE VISITS DURING THE SUMMER. TEACHERS COMPLETE SIX VISITS WITH EACH CHILD'S FAMILY, FIVE IN THE FAMILY'S HOME AND A FINAL VISIT IN THE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM. WORKING TOGETHER, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES ESTABLISH STRONG CONNECTIONS DURING THE SUMMER THAT FACILITATE CLASSROOM LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CORE FUNCTIONS/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS/PUBLIC AWARENESS