South Carolina First Steps is pleased to share the draft of its 2025–2030 strategic plan. This plan provides a five-year roadmap for the agency’s direction, priorities, and actions, beginning July 1, 2025.
The development of this plan was guided by a commitment to deep listening, collaboration, and reflection. From the start, we sought to ground the plan in the experience and expertise of those closest to our work: our staff, partners, and the communities we serve.
Over the course of eight months, we engaged stakeholders across the state to inform every stage of the plan’s development:
August–September 2024: Leaders from First Steps local partnerships and the First Steps 4K program provided input to identify early priorities.
October 2024: All staff, senior leadership, and members of the South Carolina First Steps Board of Trustees participated in facilitated sessions to explore shared goals and challenges.
Fall 2024: New Executive Director Ann Vandervliet conducted regional meetings with local partnerships to better understand community needs for the next five years.
February 2025: The SCFS Board of Trustees received an overview of the vision guiding the development of the new strategic plan.
March 2025: An expanded group of board members reviewed the agency’s progress under the 2020–2025 strategic plan, analyzed key data, and discussed early strategy concepts.
April 2025: Staff reviewed and provided feedback on the draft strategies and tactics that shape the current version of the plan.
Winter–Spring 2025: Collaborative meetings with state agency partners—including the Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, Children’s Trust of South Carolina, and the Department of Education—helped ensure alignment and support for a shared vision.
This final draft reflects the collective insights of South Carolina First Steps’ staff, leadership, partners, and stakeholders. Every conversation and contribution helped refine the goals, strategies, and actions outlined in the draft plan.
We invite you to review the draft and share your feedback during the public comment period ending May 16, 2025. Your input is critical to finalizing a plan that will guide South Carolina First Steps’ work on behalf of young children and families over the next five years.
View the Draft Strategic Plan here.
Live Public Input Session
May 5, 2025
2:00–3:30 PM
Join us to learn more about the draft plan and share your feedback in real time.
Register here.
Public Comment Period
April 29 - May 16, 2025
We encourage you to submit your input by completing the online comment form or by emailing communications@scfirststeps.org at your convenience.
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