First Steps Program Finishes First Year

The Stephens County First Steps program completes its first year and officials say it was a success.

This program, offered through Family Connections of Stephens County, uses a $10,000 grant to meet one on one with new moms to access what resources they may need.

According to numbers provided by the program, 338 moms were assessed and steered toward helpful resources in its first year and with one set of twins in the mix, that comes to 339 babies that were helped.

Stephens County First Steps Coordinator Merry Carroll Scott said sometimes moms need help with getting a GED, getting car seats, or help with their utilities.

She said she begins each meeting with a simple conversation, finding out about the baby and the new mom’s experience.

Scott said she listens to the individual needs a mom might have and then offers solutions by connecting the mom to a local resource.

In all, 1,132 references to supporting agencies have been handed out.

Scott said she knows the program is making a difference.