July 21, 2015
2:00-3:30am
To access this meeting by voice, please dial 888-537-7715, participant code 52045398#

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Overview of Partnership FY 16 Grant Agreements
3. Procedures for Adoption of Amended County Partnership By-Laws
4. Priority Goals For FY 16 - next step in FY 16 Renewal Review
5. Data System Update
6. Finance Update
7. 4K Update
8. Baby Net Update
9. Announcements and Key Dates

• Two original copies sent to ED at office address on website (check for accuracy)
• Board chair signs both original copies - return one to the state office (att: Dana Gray), keep one on file at partnership office
• Attachments to the FY Grant Agreement:
 FY 16 Partnership and Program Accountability
Standards
 Confidentiality Form ( NEW )
 Conditional Approvals (as applicable)

Office Use Only: County: ________________Program Code & Name: ________________________
Vendor Name: _______________________
NEW for FY16
C O N F I D E N T I A L I T Y
F
O R M
I understand and agree that as an employee of __________________________, I may occasionally view privileged and confidential information. I shall respect the privacy of the people we serve and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of my employment, whether the information is obtained through reports, records, the web-based data or interactions with a participant. I understand that all participant information must be kept safe from loss, destruction, theft, and unauthorized use. I understand that the copying of information or removal thereof is strictly prohibited unless authorized for legitimate purposes by a supervisor. I understand that participant information may only be released by authorized personnel and in accordance with all state and federal privacy laws. When my service with the agency is complete, I shall maintain participant and co-worker confidentiality, and I shall hold confidential information about any sensitive situations within this agency.
I further understand that the divulging of confidential information and computer access codes
(passwords) to unauthorized persons may make me the subject of civil action, as well as disciplinary action up to and including termination.
_________________________________
SIGNATURE OF EMPLOYEE
________________________________
SIGNATURE OF SUPERVISOR
_________________________________
AGENCY AFFILIATION
_________________________
DATE
_________________________
DATE

Key Sections to Review:
– Responsibilities of the Partnership
– Grant Funding
– Title to Equipment
– Records Retention
– Copyright
– Confidentiality (new form)
– Conflict of Interest

• By-laws for each partnership will be sent electronically by your TA.
• Resolution language for adopting by-laws will also be provided.
• Board should adopt amended by-laws at next board meeting.
• Return copy of by-laws with “certification of adoption” signed by Partnership Board Secretary and Chairman to the State Office (att: Dana Gray).
These may be sent electronically or via US Mail.

• Goals derived from FY16 renewal plan and recent site visit results by partnership board and staff in consultation with
TA
• Priorities can be based on compliance with partnership and program standards, serving more at-risk children and families, increasing access and quality, moving toward core partnership duties required by July 2017 per Act 287
• Draft due August 31 (Priority Goals template); final (boardapproved) goals due September 30
• Priority Goals set collaboratively will serve as Partnership
Continuous Quality Improvement Plan for FY16

• First Steps Data System is ready for FY16 data entry
• Data system guidelines sent to all Executive Directors – July
16 th via email from Betty Gardiner
• September 1: deadline to register your vendors, register programs, enter “projected to serve” numbers for ALL strategies
• Data system training August/September – send suggested topics and dates to Betty Gardiner
• October 31: Countdown to Kindergarten data deadline
• Quarterly data submissions will be reviewed by TAs during
2015-16 and Partnerships will be notified if TA has questions

• All FY 2015 invoices to RFM on or before July 31
END-OF-YEAR INVOICE SUBMISSION:
RFMs will not pay invoices received in the RFM’s office after July 31st for services rendered and supplies (ordered & received) in the previous fiscal year.
• Invoices for FY 15 must be dated on or before June 30 th
• Reallocations for FY 15 budget to RFM by no later than
August 31 (preferably August 10 th )
• Check to confirm all carry forward from FY 14 is expended

• Academy 2015, July 27-31 in Columbia
~ All partnership EDs and TAs have been invited~
• Budget includes funds for students in 64 eligible districts for 2015-2016 (Anderson 2, Anderson 5 and Kershaw are new this year).
• 189 approved First Steps 4K sites as of todaycheck for updates at http://scfirststeps.com/4k/ .
Thanks to all EDS for your leadership this summer!
• New school readiness assessment by law in 2015-
16 for 5K and 4K. First Steps will use Teaching
Strategies GOLD.

Barbara Black
(Richland, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, York) bfblack@scfirststeps.org
Anthony Broughton
(Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg,
Calhoun, Newberry, Sumter) abroughton@scfirststeps.org
LaDrica Christian
(Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon,
Florence, Lee, Marlboro, Williamsburg) lchristian@scfirststeps.org
Please let us know anytime we might be helpful to you!
Martha Strickland- 4K State Director mstrickland@scfirststeps.org, 803-394-3446

4K Regional Coordinators
Cassandra Johnson (Anderson, Cherokee, Laurens, Oconee,
Spartanburg, Union) cjohnson@scfirststeps.org
Kristine Jenkins
(Horry, Marion) kjenkins@scfirststeps.org
Joy Mazur
(Berkeley, Clarendon, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper,
Orangeburg) jmazur@scfirststeps.org
Marley Via
(Aiken, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, Saluda) mvia@scfirststeps.org
Please let us know anytime we might be helpful to you!
Martha Strickland- 4K State Director mstrickland@scfirststeps.org, 803-394-3446

Steering Committee to:
1) Develop “BabyNet 101” video
2) Establish best ways to communicate regularly about BabyNet changes affecting families and communities
• Regular webinars to address questions
3) Establish best ways to collaborate with local Single
Point of Entry offices
4) Clarify important interagency issues
• CAPTA referrals
• Universal screening forms

Please:
– Send your questions/concerns
• jkilburn@scfirststeps.org
• 803-730-3084
– Consider being on the steering committee for these efforts (let me know by Friday, August 7)

If you are not in regular contact with regional
BabyNet staff and/or need support with local issues, please contact Janice and/or Christie
Duke at 803-734-4713.
To serve families best, it is ESSENTIAL that
BabyNet staff work hand in hand with our
Partnerships .

Countdown to Kindergarten Celebrations
 August 7 – EdVenture Children’s Museum. Columbia
 WHERE ARE YOUR CELEBRATIONS?
(Please send us your flyers for posting)
 Parent pre-post data by October 31 (paper or electronic)
Executive Director and State Office Directory
(ED Focus Group idea)
Other Announcements

Mary Anne Mathews
• Beaufort
• Darlington
• Dillon
• Florence
• Marion
• Fairfield
• Horry
• Jasper
• Kershaw
• Marlboro
• McCormick
• Union
Betty Gardiner
• Abbeville
• Aiken
• Berkeley
• Calhoun
• Charleston
• Clarendon
• Edgefield
• Greenwood
• Lexington
• Richland
• Sumter

Debbie Robertson
• Allendale
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Cherokee
• Chester
• Chesterfield
• Colleton
• Georgetown
• Hampton
• Lee
• Saluda
• Williamsburg
Janice Kilburn
• Anderson
• Dorchester
• Greenville
• Lancaster
• Laurens
• Newberry
• Oconee
• Orangeburg
• Pickens
• Spartanburg
• York

• July 27-31: First Steps 4K Academy (all are welcome!)
• July 31: All final FY15 invoices filed with RFM; Last site visit
• August 7: Countdown to Kindergarten Celebrations Statewide
• August 31: Child Care Training Plans and Draft Priority Goals due
• September 1: Deadline to enter Vendors, Projected to Serve numbers for all strategies
• September 16: Parenting Conference (Columbia)
• September 30: Final Priority Goals for FY 2016 due
• October 1: FY 15 Annual Report and Numbers Served due
• October 31: Countdown to Kindergarten data deadline