Key Messages from South Carolina First Steps
First Steps is here for South Carolina’s children during the most critical stage of their development, from birth through age five. Parents and communities rely on First Steps to ensure that their children have what they need to thrive: a nurturing and safe home, opportunities to learn and grow, quality care and education, and when necessary, early intervention and mental health services.
With a presence in every county of the state, First Steps is reaching more children than ever before. In FY22, First Steps directly served 57,435 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers – 55% more than the previous year.
First Steps is proven to get children ready for school. 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.
First Steps is both a state agency and a 501(c)3 nonprofit. This model provides the stable base of funding and public accountability of a state agency, with the grassroots necessary to build trust with families, raise additional funding, and mobilize volunteers in support of our mission. In FY22, local First Steps partnerships leveraged $21.5 million from sources outside of state government. That’s $1.49 for every state dollar invested.
Our investments are working, but they are reaching too few children. In South Carolina, nearly half of all young children live in poverty or low-income households. In FY22, we were able to reach 37% of them, but only 5% of children in need received the more intensive services that deliver the greatest impact.
First Steps has a formula that works. With more strategic investment and permanent reauthorization, we can expand our reach, increase our impact, and ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
For questions about our local Anderson County Programs, please contact:
Paige Wall
Executive Director
Anderson County First Steps Partnership Office
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