News & Resources

On Monday, August 26, 2024, York Technical College unveiled two essential new services that reflect its commitment to breaking down barriers to education and supporting the community. The College held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies for its new Food Pantry and Career Closet, followed by the introduction of the First Steps 4K program. Both events took place on the Rock Hill Campus at 452 S. Anderson Road.

From shy beginnings to confidently walking into her first day of school, Malia's journey highlights the importance of early preparation and the power of encouragement. Malia is one of almost 2,000 children who participated in our Countdown to Kindergarten programs this summer.

The only thing more exciting than finding out I had been accepted into the final round of the Harvard Strategic Data Partnership (SDP) fellowship matching process for their 16th cohort was learning that I was also being considered for the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) placement, housed at South Carolina First Steps.

In South Carolina, the state provides full-day 4K for children who live in poverty or have other "at-risk" factors, such as developmental delays. The full-day program started as a pilot in 2006 and gradually expanded statewide. The state funds it in both public schools and private providers.

June 28, 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of South Carolina First Steps. Since inception, First Steps has impacted over one million children during the most important stage in their development through a network of 46 local, county-level nonprofit affiliates and over 300 First Steps 4K providers statewide. Operating the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, the agency also coordinates the efforts of all the government agencies whose programs impact young children.

After six and a half years leading South Carolina First Steps, I am stepping down from my role as agency director on June 28th to become the CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. My last day is also First Steps’ 25th anniversary, a time of celebration and reflection, where we, as an organization, are thinking about the journey of impact we have all been on together.

When you give to First Steps, you provide dads like Jordan with the tools and resources they need to maximize their strengths and ensuring that children like James and Emily have the best possible start in life.

The statewide platform has earned national recognition for helping families find and enroll in programs and services for children ages 0-5.

South Carolina First Steps today announced the kickoff of Countdown to Kindergarten, an annual initiative focused on preparing young children for success in school.