The Year of the Caregiver
2020 was the year of the caregiver. From hospitals to family homes, caregivers of all kinds have dramatically reorganized their lives to meet the needs of our society’s most vulnerable members.
Read MoreSouth Carolina First Steps announces appointments to the Board of Trustees and Early Childhood Advisory Council
Three new appointees have joined the South Carolina First Steps Board of Trustees. Senate President Harvey Peeler has appointed John Hayes to the role of “Early Childhood Educator” and Jesica Mackey to the role of “Parent of a Young Child.” Governor Henry McMaster has appointed Janie Neeley to the role of “Parent of a Young…
Read MoreTheir Future, And Ours: 2019-2020 Annual Report
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted life in many ways for young children and families in South Carolina. Yet early child development has never paused. Even when child care programs were closed and families were isolated at home, the brains of our state’s babies, toddlers, and preschoolers continued to grow and develop in rapid response to…
Read MoreListening to the people we serve
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…
Read More2020 Census Q&A: How an accurate count impacts early education resources
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…
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