October 2020 - SC First Steps

Listening to the people we serve

By Georgia Mjartan | October 28, 2020

First Steps Executive Director Georgia Mjartan plays a hand-clapping game with a child in a preschool classroom.

As a foster parent, I interacted with “the government” on many occasions. Sometimes the experiences were wonderful, like the time my case worker went out of her way to approve a Christmas visit between our one-year-old foster daughter and her biological father. Other times, the interactions left me feeling disrespected, frustrated, and angry. I wished…

2020 Census Q&A: How an accurate count impacts early education resources

By scfirststeps | October 2, 2020

We interviewed Jon Artz, Program Officer at South Carolina First Steps, about his experience as a 2020 Census taker, and the importance of making sure individuals are counted — especially young children. What is your current position with South Carolina First Steps?I am a Program Officer at South Carolina First Steps and I’ve been there…