Georgetown County

Georgetown County First Steps to School Readiness is part of a state initiative -- South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act, the Enabling Legislation (established in 1999) -- which provides for public and private resources to help children ages birth to five prepare to enter school healthy and ready to learn. Each of the state's 46 counties has formed a legislatively-designed partnership board, including parents of young children, representatives of the business, faith, education, health and non-profit communities. Each county offers different First Steps programs and services, depending on the needs of that county. First Steps funds are used to improve the quality of child care, expand early education programs, provide access to health services and offer family support. On the heels of the agency's re-authorization in 2006, Governor Sanford and the General Assembly asked more of First Steps. With our public school partners, First Steps is helping to expand pre-kindergarten services for children residing in the 37 school districts involved in the state school funding equity lawsuit. Only by harnessing the best in South Carolina's public and private sectors can we meet the needs of all our families.