Members at Shoney’s Restaurant in Dillon, on March 26, at 7:30 a.m. to give the delegation members an update on Dillon County First Steps.
Attendees were Senator Kent Williams, Representative Jackie Hayes, Judge James E. Lockemy, Mr. Travis Jackson, Mrs. Johnnie Luehrs, Committee Chair, Ms. Helen Gilchrist, Committee Member, Dr. Daniel W. Blue, Jr., Executive Director, Mrs. Angela Coward, Administrative/Program Assistant, and Mrs. Shantel McTeer- McRae, Program Educator.
South Carolina First Steps is no longer under the SC State Department of Education umbrella. SC First Steps is its own state organization. First Steps funding will not be cut in FY ’13. District lines have changed in Senator Kent Williams and Representative Jackie Hayes’ districts. In addition, State Legislative Appointees must have a background check and a financial background check before any appointments are made.
“We want to thank Senator Kent Williams and Representative Jackie Hayes for their support on the First Steps process and the service we provide for the 2,964 children under 6 years of age in Dillon County,” said Dr. Daniel W. Blue, Jr., Executive Director. Mrs. Johnnie Luehrs said, “My committee works very hard to find the best dedicated citizens in Dillon County to get the job done. Our state delegation members are always available to do all that they can to get our young citizens ready for 1st Grade.”