COVID-19

As we all learn to navigate the uncharted waters that accompany these uncertain times, we wish to express a message of hope and confidence.  Hope, that you are safe and secure with your families as we all adjust to being home bound with your children or altering your daily routines in response to social distancing and new work guidelines.  Hope, that you will continue to be healthy in all areas as a family through these difficult times. Confidence, that collectively, we will pull through this pandemic of COVID-19 and that our children can and will continue to develop in a healthy manner. Confidence, that if you have a need that between our organization and our partners, that we will do all we can to help you navigate meeting your child’s needs now just as we strived to meet them prior to this challenging event.

York County First Steps is fully operational, albeit, primarily from remote office space. We continue to provide services through telehealth and virtual meeting technology and we will continue to adapt to the needs of our families as appropriate. Guidelines and recommendations will continue to evolve daily and we will respond accordingly with the needs of our families our primary priority. As of now, there are several initiatives where we hope to assist all families that have preschool children.

1. Listing of Age Appropriate Resources and Websites for Activities for Families with Preschool Children
2. Up to Date Listing of Childcare Centers Options that are still open in York County

We will continue to assess the situation as developments evolve and where needs exist we will work to help fill. We advise the following communication steps dependent on your circumstances and needs:

• If your child is in need of services where York County First Steps can assist, contact us through our website contact option or David Lisk by E-Mail, dlisk@rhmail.org.
• If you are a first time mother prior to your 28th week and would be interested in considering our Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visitation Program, please fill out and forward our referral form found on this website.
• If you are looking for ideas and resources for activities for your preschool children, check our Facebook page, York County First Steps, as we continue to add ideas and suggestions.
• If you are looking for emergency childcare centers for your children, please check the State DSS Site for childcare resources, www.scchildcare.org, or contact David Lisk at dlisk@rhmail.org or Susan Robinson at srobinson@rhmail.org.
• If you are a partner, family, or community member and have an idea on a community need that could assist with preschool children and their families, please contact me, dlisk@rhmail.org to discuss further.
• There are a number of great resources for up to date information, guidelines, and available resources through the United Way of York County, our four School Districts, and our Department of Health and Environmental Control, DHEC.
• We will continue to lift up hope and confidence during these difficult circumstances and know that you will join us in our efforts. We wish everyone to be safe and secure and know that we continue to be with you as you provide for your children.