The Reach Out and Read (ROR) Model prepares young children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. ROR begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special focus on children growing up in low-income communities.


ROR Outcomes

  • Parents are 2.5X more likely to read with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
  • Parents are 2X more likely to read with their children three or more times per week.
  • Families are 2.5X more likely to enjoy reading together or to have books in the home.
  • Children’s language development is improved by 3-6 months.
  • Children’s language ability improves with increased exposure to Reach Out and Read.
  • Clinic culture and clinician well-being are improved.


Results provided by Reach Out and Read National Center


How We Are Involved

Darlington County First Steps is partnered with Eastern Carolina Pediatrics in Darlington, CareSouth Carolina and Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center's Pediatric Department. These healthcare centers are dedicated to the ROR Model and support early literacy with First Steps. Their facilities have a literacy-rich waiting room for parents and their children to explore the wonders of books together.


Reproductive and Sexual Health Initiatives

Tier 1- Project I.M.P.A.C.T (Implementing Meaningful Program Across Communities Together)

Funder: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs

Grant Time Period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028 (5-year grant)


Project I.M.P.A.C.T is designed to implement medically accurate, evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs and provide a network of support services to advance equity for young people (ages 17-24), their families, and communities through addressing sexual reproductive health outcomes in Darlington County. College students residing in Darlington County have been selected as the population of focus due to the evident disparities in teen births and STIs. Although teen pregnancy rates have declined significantly in Darlington County, STDs and STIs have increased. Throughout this five-year project, Project I.M.P.A.C.T. and Darlington County First Steps will also collaborate with the community to ensure youth have equitable access to community services.


To connect with a community health worker, call or text 843.639.3090.


AC/DC: Accessing Condoms in Darlington County

According to Darlington County's 2019 data, Darlington County was identified as being the 21st highest in the state for teen pregnancy rates. As a result of the findings in a research report titled Accelerating Progress: A roadmap for achieving further reductions in teen pregnancy, the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, now known as Fact Forward, identified four strategies that are needed to reduce teen pregnancies. Providing teen-friendly condom access points was one of the four strategies. 

 

Teen pregnancy is an issue that many youth in our community face but is not the only one. Darlington County is ranked 16th in the state for Chlamydia infections and 20th in the state for Gonorrhea infections amongst 15-19 year olds (see Darlington County data for more information). Because we care about the future and health of our youth, we choose to provide resources for them that are easy to find and easy to get.


What Can Be Done?


There are several ways to abstain from getting pregnant as a teen and to prevent being infected with STDs, STIs, HIV, and AIDS and we have centered in on one of those options. With the guidance of the Accelerating Progress research report, we have established places where you can go to receive FREE condoms, FREE of judgment. That is barbershops, beauty salons, small businesses, and individuals in the community.

Men's Health Initiative

African American, AA, men are disproportionately at risk for of early death and have the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates of all subgroups. Darlington County has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the state, with AA men being most at-risk due to health disparities. The life expectancy for AA men is 6 years less than white men. Research clearly indicates health disparities among men in general, with men having shorter life expectancy than women and suffering with more life-threatening diseases, while health disparities among AA men is so great that he has been referred to as “the invisible man”. Health disparities among AA men are the result of social, behavioral, and psychological factors and have created an on-going, increasing and predominately silent crisis impacting their health and well-being.


 Goal

To advance health equity among AA men in Darlington County by implementing a community-based program built on Community Partners working together to enhance awareness regarding cancer risks and preventive strategies, improve access to health care, and increase early screenings, thus reducing health disparities.

 

Action Plan

Darlington County First Steps, DCFS, will serve as the community convener, bringing together a wide range of Community Partners to address the burden of cancer and health disparities in AA men. The network of Community Partners will include caregiving organizations, the faith-based community, fraternal groups, health care and clinical institutions as well as other non-profits, businesses, civic organizations and government agencies. The focus will be identifying, engaging, and serving underserved and underinsured AA men with social, behavioral, psychological, and/or biological factors related to health disparities and cancer risks. This project will address the root causes of cancer and will focus on the following “screenable cancers”: lung, colorectal, and prostate.


Strategies

Four major strategies will be utilized to execute the action plan and meet the goal of this project including the following:


1. Community Mobilization/Advocacy: including convening a Men’s Health Initiative Task Force to serve as champions in the community; soliciting commitments from Community Partners for specific support; and encouraging clinical partners to develop and promote screening and health campaigns for AA men


2. Community Awareness/Marketing Campaign: including designing press releases, radio ads, and a social media blitz; and distributing health information/literature


3. Education: including holding quarterly Health and Wellness Symposiums; developing and disseminating a series of educational Podcasts; providing family education opportunities; and establishing educational events/activities throughout the county

 


4. Access: including facilitating access to health care providers and needed screenings, tests, examinations, etc.; hosting on-site screenings in collaboration with clinical partners; organizing mini health fairs throughout the county; and working with businesses where men frequent such as barber shops.

 


Why is DC First Steps Involved in Men's Health?

In our work with fathers/males over the past three years, it has become increasingly clear many fathers/males have both physical and mental health issues and needs that are unaddressed. DCFS' mission is to provide programs, services, and information to strengthen the families and communities of Darlington County. One of our core strategies to strengthen families is to provide services directly targeting the fathers/males in our families. Often times, fathers/males are a forgotten piece of the puzzle when working with mothers and their children but this Initiative will help to change that. 

 

According to the Men's Health Network, 100% of women are more likely than men to go visit the doctor for annual exams and preventative services and 1 and 2 men are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime compared with 1 and 3 women. We aim to change these statistics and hope that you will join us on this journey!

 

Resource

• Cancer in African American Men in South Carolina, 2019


Men's Health Podcast

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