About Berkeley County First Steps Revised

Berkeley County First Steps is a statewide initiative to prepare young children for school and a lifetime of learning by:     Providing improved childcare and early education opportunities Expanding and improving healthcare Strengthening families through parenting skills programs Serving as a leading advocate for the education of young children Our Mission The mission of Berkeley County First Steps is to improve the health and education of Berkeley County’s youngest children so they can enter school ready to succeed and eager to learn Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program Parents As Teachers is a voluntary early education home visitation program based on the philosophy that parents are a child’s first and most influential teacher Using specially developed curriculum, trained parent educator’s work with parents of young children to enhance parenting skills, offer periodic screenings and provide developmental information The parent educators are housed in Berkeley County School District elementary schools and also group meetings at their respective schools Participating families receive home visits from the parent educators every other week ABC Child Care Scholarship Program In collaboration with the ABC Child Care Voucher Program, Berkeley County First Steps offers ABC scholarships to low-income families who are in a home visitation program (Parents As Teachers or Nurse Family Partnership) and who are working or in school Families who are approved, receive a list of child care providers who accept the voucher and meet quality child care standards Vouchers may be utilized for up to 52 weeks of care Private 4K Expansion Berkeley County is a plaintiff county benefiting from the South Carolina Child Development Education Pilot Program This program expands access of low-income children to full day, four-year-old kindergarten within select community-based settings such as child care centers Qualifying children must live in Berkeley County, be four years old by September 1st, and qualify for free/reduced lunch, or Medicaid Berkeley County First Steps Child Care Training Berkeley County First Steps hosts annual trainings that are designed to improve the quality of child care offered in programs, schools and family daycare homes These trainings provide early care educators with opportunities to complete the mandated certified training hours required by DSS Child Care Quality Enhancement Berkeley County First Steps provides ongoing site coaching opportunities to support curriculum development and reflective practices in centers and homes that are participating in one of our cohort programs Teachers will be engaged in an assortment of trainings, field trips, and coaching sessions throughout the year Early Identification and Referral/PASOS Berkeley County First Steps provides free hearing, vision and developmental screenings for children under five Staff administers the screenings in child care centers and homes throughout Berkeley County Additionally, staff works with parents and providers to initiate referrals to Babynet when red flags are identified Parents and providers are also offered ideas and activities to promote development in children who may be at risk for problems resulting from medical, biological, or environment factors Doula Program Berkeley County First Steps provides free doula services to pregnant teens, ensuring they receive emotional and physical support during pregnancy, child birth, and the postpartum period Services begin the seventh month of the client’s pregnancy, and continue through the delivery of the child, and until one-month post-partum The doula maintains an educational and supportive relationship with the client through regular home visits, assisting the mom in completing birth plans, and connecting her with community resources that promote good health, and parenting techniques Mental Health Support Services Berkeley County First Steps provides Mental Health Consultation Services to our existing strategies, and community partners on an as needed basis The consultant is available to assess the needs of clients, identify social service/mental health linkages, facilitate referrals, and advocate for access to needed services The consultant is also available to provide parent and provider community education workshops on mental health  ... must live in Berkeley County, be four years old by September 1st, and qualify for free/reduced lunch, or Medicaid Berkeley County First Steps Child Care Training Berkeley County First Steps hosts... Referral/PASOS Berkeley County First Steps provides free hearing, vision and developmental screenings for children under five Staff administers the screenings in child care centers and homes throughout Berkeley. .. the mandated certified training hours required by DSS Child Care Quality Enhancement Berkeley County First Steps provides ongoing site coaching opportunities to support curriculum development