Florence County First Steps

10/03/2026

Florence County First Steps pauses to remember and honor the life and legacy of Florence County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Farrah Turner, who was tragically shot in the line of duty on October 3, 2018.

For Florence County First Steps, Farrah was much more than a law enforcement officer. She was a trusted community partner, a fierce advocate for children, and someone who shared our commitment to protecting and strengthening children and families throughout Florence County.

For me personally, Farrah was like a daughter, sorority sister, and someone I had the privilege of knowing beyond her badge. I knew her heart, her passion for helping others, and the genuine love she had for children and our community. When you personally know someone who has given so much of herself in service to others, remembering her is not simply about recognizing how she died. It is about honoring how she lived.

Farrah served with courage, compassion, strength, and purpose. Her work touched countless lives, particularly children and families who needed someone willing to stand up, speak out, and protect them.

Eight years later, her impact is still felt.

On behalf of Florence County First Steps, our staff, board, and the families we serve, we continue to honor Farrah’s life and the legacy she left behind. We also remember her mother, Katie Godwin, family, friends, fellow officers, colleagues, and everyone whose lives were forever changed by the events of October 3, 2018.

We extend our continued appreciation to the men and women of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and all of our local law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community.

Farrah, your service mattered. Your friendship mattered. Your life mattered.

Your commitment to protecting children and serving this community will never be forgotten. Your legacy continues through every person who carries forward the work of protecting, advocating for, and caring for our children.

We remember you. We honor you. We miss you. 💙

09/21/2026

Congratulations! I am pleased to announce that Florence County First Steps has been awarded $2,500 through the 2026–2027 SC Endeavors Certified Training Incentive Grant.

This award recognizes our continued commitment to professional growth and high-quality early care and education in Florence County. The funding will help us provide meaningful professional-development opportunities for members of our early care and education workforce.

The grant payment will be issued by Greenville Technical College. We will follow the Training Grant Requirements and submit a final report documenting the completion of all grant activities. SC Endeavors will send a reminder in June 2027 regarding the report.

Thank you to our Board of Directors, staff, trainers, childcare providers, and community partners for your leadership and dedication. Your support allows Florence County First Steps to continue investing in the professionals who educate and care for our community’s youngest children.

We appreciate SC Endeavors and the South Carolina Department of Social Services for this investment in Florence County.

Congratulations to everyone who helped make this award possible!

Sincerely,

Spencer R. Scott
Executive Director
Florence County First Steps

09/16/2026

What a wonderful way to kick off the year! ❤️📚

Yesterday evening, Florence County First Steps hosted our first ParentChild+ Parent Meeting at the HopeHealth Streater Building in downtown Florence. It was a great opportunity for our ParentChild+ families to come together, connect, learn, and prepare for an exciting year ahead.

A special thank you to Gloria Bracey, Parenting Director, and Anastasia Spann, Program Director, for sharing valuable information with our families. Spencer R Scott, stated, "As Executive Director, I am always grateful for the opportunity to spend time with the parents and children we serve and to remind them that they are an important part of the Florence County First Steps family."

ParentChild+ is about much more than books and learning materials. It is about strengthening the parent child relationship, building confidence in parents as their child's first and most important teacher, and helping children develop the skills they need to enter school ready to succeed.

Thank you to every family who joined us! We are looking forward to a year filled with learning, laughter, stronger families, and brighter futures. Together, we are getting Florence County's children ready for school and ready for life! ❤️💙💚💛

09/16/2026

📚💙 What an amazing way to kick off our first HIPPY Family Night of the year!

Florence County First Steps HIPPY families came together at the Florence County Library for an evening filled with learning, laughter, movement, stories, and family fun! Our children had a wonderful time participating in interactive activities while parents joined right in with them. Seeing our families learning and having fun together is exactly what HIPPY is all about! 💚💛💙

A special thank you to the Florence County Library and its staff for welcoming our families, providing an exciting story time, introducing our children to the library, and helping families learn more about getting their very own library cards. 📖

At Florence County First Steps, we know that parents are their child's first and most important teachers. HIPPY Family Nights give our families another opportunity to connect, learn, explore, and create memories together. Tonight was only the beginning, and we're excited about everything this year has in store for our HIPPY families!

Come for the learning. Stay for the memories! ❤️

09/16/2026

Join us for Truck Or Treat....

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

A Special Thank You to Prime Pediatric Dentistry! 🦷💙

Florence County First Steps extends our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Connors and Prime Pediatric Dentistry for their generous $210 donation to our ParentChild+ Initiative.

Through their No Cavity Club, Prime Pediatric Dentistry is doing more than encouraging healthy smiles. They are teaching children and families that healthy habits can also make a difference in the lives of others. Each month, their cavity-free patients help support a local nonprofit, and we are honored that Florence County First Steps was selected as their July recipient.

This generous donation will directly support our ParentChild+ Initiative, which works with young children and their families to strengthen early literacy, parent-child interaction, and school readiness through books, educational materials, and home-based learning experiences.

Thank you, Dr. Connors, the Prime Pediatric Dentistry team, and all of the amazing children and families who participated in the No Cavity Club. Your healthy smiles are helping us build brighter futures for children in Florence County!

Healthy smiles. Strong families. Bright futures. 💙📚🦷

08/05/2026

Board Member Kiara Lint, Community Engagement Specialist for Health Strategy and External Affairs with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, led the Early Education Committee of the Florence County Collective. She presented the committee's accomplishments and collaborative efforts to improve school readiness, strengthen families, and expand access to early childhood resources throughout Florence County.

Key results included:
• 80 childcare scholarships were provided to children and families through Florence County First Steps, increasing access to quality early childhood education.

• Childcare provider support included a five-hour professional development training hosted by Florence County First Steps, along with educational materials and classroom supplies.

• ParentChild+ through Florence County First Steps served more than 80 families and their young children through weekly home visits, providing developmentally appropriate books, educational toys, and learning materials that equipped parents to become their child's first and most important teacher while strengthening early literacy and school readiness.

• The committee celebrated the ParentChild+ 4K Graduation, recognizing children's readiness for kindergarten.

• The Jade Bridge Summer Camp awarded 4 scholarships, helping children develop the cognitive, social, and emotional skills needed for kindergarten success.

• Parent engagement was strengthened through daily Lunch and Learn sessions during the summer camp, where 15 parents participated in four-hour workshops focused on trauma-informed practices and evidence-based interventions (EBIs).

• Community partnerships expanded as The Jade Bridge collaborated with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Foster Care Clothing Closet to better serve families, while also pursuing grant funding to support teenage adoptees.

• Peer-to-Peer Networking opportunities were established, allowing childcare providers to meet quarterly to collaborate, share best practices, and strengthen the local early childhood system.

• Community outreach efforts ensured participating organizations distributed information about enrollment opportunities and educational resources to families.

• Books were donated through The Jade Bridge to McLaurin Elementary School to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading.

Additionally, the Foster Care Clothing Closet's Fostering Bright Futures Program continued to promote early literacy by providing weekly storytime sessions, hands-on learning activities, and increased access to books for foster, kinship, and adoptive families with children ages 0–8.

These collaborative efforts are helping build stronger families, improve kindergarten readiness, and create a solid foundation for lifelong learning throughout Florence County.

07/28/2026

Welcome Phines...

06/21/2026

One of the greatest myths society continues to tell is that fathers are absent, uninvolved, or disconnected from the lives of their children. Yet every day through our First Steps programs, I witness a very different story. I see fathers showing up, sacrificing, teaching, encouraging, and loving their children in ways that often go unnoticed. These men may not seek recognition, but their impact is undeniable.

Recently, I watched a father teaching his young son how to cut grass while proudly wearing his First Steps 4K shirt. It wasn't just about lawn care. It was about responsibility, work ethic, confidence, and passing down life lessons that can't be taught in a classroom. In that moment, a father was doing what fathers have done for generations—preparing his child for life through example.

At another event, I witnessed a father kneel beside his son who was overwhelmed and afraid to sit in front of nearly 200 people during graduation. Rather than dismissing his fears, he comforted him, reassured him, and gave him the courage to walk across that stage. A father's presence provides security, strength, and confidence when children face challenges that seem bigger than themselves.

I am also reminded of a father who drove five hours just to attend his child's elementary school graduation, celebrated that special moment, and then immediately drove back home to report for his night shift at work. That kind of sacrifice speaks volumes. Fathers matter. Their time matters. Their presence matters. Their encouragement, guidance, protection, and love help shape the future of our children.

To all the fathers in our First Steps programs and throughout our communities, thank you for showing up, standing tall, and proving every day that fatherhood is one of the most important roles a man can ever have.