As both a state agency and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, First Steps works to ensure that every child can benefit from quality early childhood programs across the state in every county. Through a network of 46 county partnerships, each a local, affiliate nonprofit, First Steps offers direct services to families and caregivers, shares knowledge of community resources and referrals, and mobilizes partners in building a more efficient and effective early childhood system. 

First Steps county partnerships receive their base state funding allocation via a formula derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Each county partnership individually determines how they are going to use their state funding allocation, (i.e., what programs they are going to implement and/or fund), through a needs assessment and strategic planning process every three years. 

To support the county partnerships’ needs assessment process for fiscal years 2024-2026, the State Office built dynamic Tableau dashboards, which included a variety of indicators from the ACS, such as the income to poverty ratio; population under age 6 for whom poverty can be determined; population under age 5; population 3-4 years old enrolled in school, as well as other publicly available data. County partnerships utilized these dashboards and other data to facilitate community convenings focused on identifying the needs of young children and to prioritize what needs their partnership would work to address over the next three years. All 46 county partnerships completed their needs assessment and strategic planning processes in June 2023.

Outcome

First Steps used ACS and other data to help determine the distribution of over $14.4 million dollars in state formula funding to county partnerships working to ensure South Carolina's youngest children arrive at school ready to reach their highest potential.  

County partnerships were able to serve over 50,000 young children directly and over 63,000 indirectly across South Carolina in fiscal year 2022-2023. Children served indirectly are enrolled in early care and education classrooms, where the classroom teacher and/or center director are receiving services/enrolled in programs.

Locations

All counties and census tracts in South Carolina

ACS Topics Used

Age by ratio of income to poverty level in the past 12 months; population under age 6 for whom poverty can be determined; population under age 5; population 3-4 years old enrolled in school