Allocation Amount: 
$200,000 state funds
$ 3,000 private funds
Number of People Served:
1,190 children; 98 families served by Parents as Teachers; 10 childcare facilities; 3,717 developmentally-appropriate books distributed to 4-
year-olds in childcare centers; 93 families served by Nutrition Education.

Newberry County remains mostly rural with 70% of the approximately 36,000 residents living in the outlying areas.   2785 children are under six years of age with over 33% (1200) at risk of failing to succeed in school due to at least one risk factor associated with poor school performance.

For fiscal year 2005, the Newberry County First Steps Partnership targeted programs that historically serve under-represented and "at-risk" clients.

Through a partnership with Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, 108 preschoolers, 93 adults, and 11 childcare programs received increased knowledge in the areas of food, nutrition, safety, health, dental health and healthy lifestyle.

98 families and 106 children benefited by a program called "Parents as Teachers".  This is a parent-education program that finds parent educators working with high-need families to enhance their skills and knowledge.

401 children were positively affected by the Quality Facility Enhancement strategy where 10 childcare centers received new developmental materials in their facilities with the appropriate training to maximize their use.  Two
adult training cycles (15 hours each) were offered for continuing education credit.

413 four-year-olds benefited from the library outreach program.  Each child received a total of 9 books over a 9 month period of interactive reading presentations by a trained librarian.

6 ABC Scholarships were awarded to eligible parents to assist with childcare expenses.