First Steps was created to be an independent and influential entity that, in collaboration with other community stakeholders, sets and advances the agenda and priorities for early childhood work in Kent County. As an objective and neutral organization, we work to ensure that services are high quality and aligned. We convene leadership from various fields such as education, healthcare, and social services to enhance communication and coordination.
First Steps, the Great Start Collaborative, and other community partners have identified the components that must be in place for a coordinated system and are developing strategies to make sure the necessary services are available and accessible. We also are building the public and political will to support and sustain the early childhood system.
Kent County’s early childhood collaborative has developed a long-term vision outlining what it will take to have every young child in Kent County enter kindergarten ready to be successful. It presents the ideal picture of a comprehensive and integrated system of early childhood support services. Everyone in the community has a role to play in turning this vision into reality.
Download the Vision for Kent County’s Early Childhood System.
First Steps may incubate programs, also known as “demonstration projects,” that have developed out of the community planning process. In most instances, programs will be time limited, and if successful, integrated into the community. Click here to learn more about First Steps programs.
Kent County’s approach to serving young children and their families balances innovation with proven practice. The systemic and comprehensive nature of the work is innovative. At the same time, First Steps and our partners are guided by research and rely heavily on evidence-based practices that are getting results both locally and around the country.
The Kent County community has a long history of collaboration and innovation to support children and their families. Today’s work is building on and refining earlier work and follows the direction previously set by the community.
You can download a brief summary of the History of Kent County’s Early Childhood System.
Kent County’s Early Childhood System: A Community Plan also known as Connections for Children, was released in September 2004. It identified the core service areas of the system, outlined the governance structure, identified strategic goals, and recommended increased evaluation and greater quality assurance. If you would like to read more, you can download the Executive Summary of Connections for Children.
Making Strides: Kent County’s Early Childhood System is the work of broad and diverse planning teams and was released in October 2007. It identifies initial strategies for developing the Early Childhood System, some of which are now the basis for demonstration projects. As stated in the document, Making Strides “represents the first phase of an effort that is expected to continue over several years as all of the pieces are identified and developed.” If you would like to read more, you can download Making Strides.