Dillon County Partnership Programs
The Nurturing Parenting Program for Parents and Their Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers allows both parents and their children birth to five years participate in home-based, group-based, or combination group-based and home-based program models. Lessons are competency-based ensuring parental learning and mastery of skills.
The Nurturing Parenting Program is an evidence-based early childhood home visiting framework for families with children prenatal through kindergarten entry that builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Program Components:
Personal Visits are designed to meet the needs of each individual family with intensity ranging anywhere from twice monthly to weekly.
Group Connections are provided monthly to ensure families build social connections with each other and learn new ways to support their child’s development. Screening is done on a regular basis for each child’s health and developmental progress. Resource and Referral Network connects families to needed resources, strengthening protective factor and fostering positive change.
How to Apply:
Parent Educators will advertise of the open enrollment for NP in The Dillon Herald. Parent Educators will also recruit in local communities as well as set up a booth at local events. Parents can complete an application in the Dillon County First Steps office.
The Nurturing Parenting Groups program is an 18-session group support program to promote strong and resilient families.
The Nurturing Fathers program is an evidence-based training course designed to teach parenting and nurturing skills to men. Each class provides proven, effective skills for healthy family relationships and child development and awareness. Learn more here …
Childcare Trainings
First Steps provides staff development and mentoring to assist providers in meeting DSS training requirements, increasing the knowledge of child care workers, and improving the quality of programs offered in participating child care facilities.
How to Apply:
Childcare training calendars will be sent out to all childcare facilities. All childcare registered through DSS are notified by letter of upcoming trainings. Training sessions are advertised in The Dillon Herald and SCEndeavors.org website).
Interested participants can call the Dillon County First Steps office to register for trainings.
Quality Childcare Enhancement
Quality childcare starts with quality childcare providers. Our quality enhancement and training strategies lead to improved teacher-student interaction, which research shows has a significant impact on a child’s development and success in school.
Raising A Reader
Engages families of routine of a daily “book cuddling” with their children to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills critical for school success. Parents will engage in “read aloud” strategies through books sent home weekly with the book bag delivery system.
How to Apply:
Will be implemented through child care facilities. Interested participants should contact Dillon County First Steps offices.
First Steps 4K (State Program)
Interested parents with Medicaid-eligible children who live in eligible school districts can contact any participating provider to complete an application for free, full-day 4K. To view a list of participating First Steps 4K providers, visit:
Program Interest Online Form
If you’re interested in one of these programs, please fill out the form below. Include any additional comments or information you think would be helpful. Thank you!
Dillon County First Steps 