Nurse Family Partnership Survey

Leaders in Lexington and Rich land Counties have a wonderful opportunity to apply for a 7-year grant for an evidence-based, nurse home visiting program proven to enhance the health and well-being of low-income, first-time parents - The Nurse-Family Partnership.

The Duke Endowment and the S.C. Office of First Steps are partnering to fund 2 programs in South Carolina. We are working on a highly competitive grant application for Lexington and Richland Counties.

As a part of the grant application, we must demonstrate evidence of strong community support. Please take 5 minutes to respond to this survey regarding your views about NFP as well as how you might like to become involved.

To answer the survey, please go to this link:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227NPYQ355P

Video from Saturday's Child Care Conference

Upcoming Training Events Sponsored by Lexington County First Steps

The following are tentative spring training dates for sessions being sponsored by Lexington County First Steps .

February 23 - Annual Conference - Excellence is an everyday commitment - Batesburg-Leesville High School

March 12 - Director's Forum - Program Administration - Irmo Library - Martha Thompson is instructor.

March 17 - Growth and Development - "Early Learning Standards Video Series II" - Cayce/West Columbia Library - Clara Slice is instructor.

April 28 - Child Guidance - "Challenging Behaviors in Infants and Toddlers" - Lexington Library - Cookie Grant is instructor.

May 19 - Curriculum - Cayce/West Columbia Library - Sallie Bozard is instructor.

May 28 - Director's Forum - Program Administration - Irmo Library - Martha Thompson is instructor.

For more information or to register, call Julie Starr Horne, Lexington County First Steps Program Coordinator at (803) 532-6861 or julieh@lex3.k12.sc.us

Excellence is an Everyday Commitment

The Sixth Annual Sixth Annual Early Care & Education Conference will be held Saturday February 23, 2008 at Batesburg-Leesville High School. Hosted by First Steps of Lexington & Saluda Counties and MAEYC, the conference is now established as one of the leading events in South Carolina for early childhood educators.

The conference theme for 2008 is "Excellence is an Everyday Commitment." Sessions will cover a full range of early childhood education topics and allow educators to earn professional development hours.

This year, the morning keynote session features The Learning Station, a nationally-recognized children's recording and performing company who will offer a healthy collection of fitness songs, group games and activities all designed to develop balance, locomotor skills, physical strength and coordination.
Founded in 1985, THE LEARNING STATION stars Don and Jan, who are recognized for their ability to capture their young audiences attention with their educational music philosophy that inspires a child's natural curiosity to explore, learn, play and grow. THE LEARNING STATION's positive image has achieved the highest standing in the educational community. This trio is known for their enthusiastic and motivating music style. With over 400 keynote and workshops presented across the nation they have earned a top ten position paving the way as leaders in the children's educational music industry.

For more information or to register, call 1.803.532.6861

LCFS Board Set for 2008-09

The Lexington County First Steps Board is now set for the 2008-09 term. Positions are filled either by election or appointment as set out in statute. Here is the roster:

Officers
Michael Sponhour, Chair
Debbie Shealy, Vice Chair
Ada Jane Setzler, Secretary

Pre-Kindergarten through Primary Educator
Judy Tinder
Angela Willis

Family Education, Training & Support Services
Gigi Towers

Childcare/Early Childhood Dev./Ed. Provider
Rhonda Wiley
Cathy Walker

Health Care Provider
Cindy Sweigart

Non-Profit Organization/Services to Families and Children.
Dianne Hinson
Lydia Freeman

Faith Community
Jennifer McConnell
David Torrey

Business Community
Penny Danielson

Parent of Child Served in First Steps
Linda Tabor

Early Childhood Education
Crystal Campbell
Michelle Perry
Herman Knopf, Ph.D.
Clare Hodge, Ph.D.

Department of Social Services
Greg Frohnappel

Department of Health & Environmental Control
Roy Tucker

Library
Ellen Stringer

School District One
Heath Branham

School District Two
Gina Henderson

School District Three
Tom Sparks

School District Four
Sylvia Lucas

School District Five
Mary Kennerly, Ph.D.

Legislative Delegation Appointees
Ada Jane Setzler
Debbie Shealy
Tara Grigsby
Michael Sponhour

LCFS Wins Centers of Excellence Grant for Two Centers

Two Lexington County child care centers have been selected to share a $400,000 grant designed to enhance their delivery of quality care to young children.

Lexington County First Steps has been awarded the Center of Excellence grant to assist Gaston Childcare Center and Emmanuel Wee Care in Swansea for a two-year, comprehensive quality improvement effort. The grant was issued by South Carolina First Steps via funding provided by the General Assembly in the wake of Judge Thomas W. Cooper Jr. school funding equity ruling.

The grants were available to centers in 28 school districts that were plaintiffs in the funding lawsuit. Centers in five districts were selected for COE grants. Both Lexington County centers are in School District 4, which has been a key partner in the effort to win the grant.

“We are tremendously excited that two centers in our county will have this wonderful opportunity to dramatically improve their nurturing of young children,” said Gina Henderson, Lexington County First Steps board chair. “This project will demonstrate how powerful community partnerships can produce excellent care for young children."

The centers will work with Lexington County First Steps staff to implement a comprehensive improvement plan that will include:

• Staff training in the latest research-based instruction techniques.


• On-site mentoring and technical assistance.


• Scholarship assistance for needy students.


• Parent education initiatives.


• Developmental screening and child assessment.


• Staff incentives, including scholarships to further their education.


• Improvements to facilities and classroom materials.
  

Annual Fun Fair Draws More than 1,000

The Fun Fair at the Library on Wednesday was a hugh success with 1,093 people! That is a record number and it was certainly worth all the planning and efforts that went into it.

I want to thank Julie for the usual good job in coordinating the event with the assistance of Pat Wise. Again, the Parent Centers' staffs came through and we could not do this without them along with Board members who participate. A special thanks is extended to Ebenezer Pentacostal Holiness Church in South Congaree for again allowing us to use their trailer for transporting tents, supplies, tables, etc. to and from the library; (and we can't forget the driver, our own Board Chair, Gina Henderson, whose husband is a Pastor at the church!). Many hands are required in an event of this size, and this is a great example of the "partnership" which characterizes First Steps. - Jim Riddle

Here are some photos from the event.


Magician Chad Crews entertains young and old.





Camel rides are always a big hit at the Fun Fair.