First Steps gets $30M federal grant for SC pre-K

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — First Steps has received $30.5 million in grant money to expand pre-kindergarten programs in South Carolina.

The money comes out of $500 million that states were competing for from President Barack Obama’s administration. South Carolina received the eighth-largest award.

First Steps officials say the money will allow them to help an additional 535 low-income infants and toddlers from birth to age 5.

More than $18 million will be given over five years to First Steps groups in a dozen counties: Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Berkeley, Dillon, Georgetown, Laurens, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Saluda and York.

First Steps’ partner in Charleston County will get $6.5 million, while the partner in Spartanburg County will receive $5.5 million

First Steps currently helps about 1,900 children in 150 private preschools statewide.