Meet the Team

Learn about our mission, values, and who we are.  Meet our Board Members, who are crucial to our success, along with the Beaufort County First Steps staff!


Mission

Every Child will arrive at Kindergarten ready to succeed


Values

  • The years of early childhood are a critical window of development during which much of human potential is shaped.
  • Families are the single most important influence on the development of their young children.
  • The work of supporting families and caregivers is a collaborative effort between state and local stakeholders within the public, private and faith sectors.
  • School readiness is the result of a child’s development in many areas, with each contributing to the child’s success.
  • Services must be individualized and adaptable to meet the unique needs of children and families.
  • We value, and demonstrate in our collaborative work and advocacy, diverse perspectives in the development of public policy and programs.
  • To achieve desired results, services must be high-quality and grounded in strong evidence. First Steps operates within a culture of accountability.

Meet the Board

 

NamePositionBoard CategoryPlace of Employment
Anita “Lynn” SingletonChairFamily Education, Training, & Support ProviderBeaufort County School
Tonya Allen-JenkinsVice-ChairChild Care, EC ProviderPenn Center Inc.
James WilliamsTreasurerNon-ProfitBeaufort Jasper EOC, Head Start
Ashley HutchisonCounty School DistrictBeaufort County School District
Amanda Brewer Dickman County LibraryBeaufort County Library
Makita FabianParent
Carol OsbornEarly Childhood Education
Luz Yaneth Reyna-ColemnaresBusiness Community
Dr. LaChiana HamiltonHealth Care ProviderBeaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health
Patricia UrriolaNon-ProfitPASOs-BJHCHS, Inc. 
Kelly ZytynskiSecretaryPre-K Primary EducatorChild Enrichment Center/Baptist Church of Beaufort

Beaufort County First Steps Staff

Betty Washington, Executive Director
Solimar Abbott, Community Health Worker
Lucette Brown, Parent Educator
Karla Lozado, Community Health Worker
Sheryl Newton, Early Child Educator
Erin Mathews, Program Specialist