First Steps

Diocese of Charleston participating in First Steps

• Catholic schools in South Carolina will be participating in the First Steps 4K program this fall.
• First Steps provides funds to Medicaid-eligible children to attend 4K programs at private schools.
• 4K students who could not afford a private school can attend a Catholic institution to receive a quality education.

To qualify during the 2023-24 school year, a child must:

• be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023;
• be eligible for Medicaid, free- or reduced-price lunch program, SNAP/TANF recipient OR be experiencing homelessness, transiency, or in foster care;
• be a South Carolina Resident.