Programs & Resources — Lancaster County First Steps

Programs

Lancaster County First Steps supports children's education by partnering with families, educators, and the community. We strive to provide the best opportunities for learning and development.

Early Head Start

A program focused on collaborating with local childcare centers to provide children and families in Lancaster County with high-quality early childhood education throughout the year.

Early Head Start is a federally funded program that provides family-centered services to children 0-3 years old, pregnant women, and their families.
Eligibility for the Early Head Start program is based on family income at or below the poverty level, but children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or receiving public assistance are eligible regardless of income. The program offers center-based and family child care, home visits, and group learning activities.
If you are interested in applying, please apply HERE.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

Clyburn Early Childhood Center 4K

Provides free, full-day, four-year-old kindergarten to qualifying children in Lancaster County,

The Clyburn Early Childhood Center started operating in 2023. It offers free, full-day, four-year-old kindergarten to eligible children in Lancaster County. The program provides families with an easy solution to find a high-quality education for their children. The center can accommodate up to 30 children annually.
If you are interested in applying, please Contact Us.

Countdown To Kindergarten

Connects incoming kindergarteners, their families, and teachers through one-on-one visits to support a smooth transition to school.

Countdown to Kindergarten is a program that pairs rising kindergarteners' families with their future teachers. The program includes six one-hour visits, five in the family's home and a final visit in the kindergarten classroom. These visits help families prepare for their child's first year of school and give teachers an opportunity to build relationships with their students and families.
If you are interested in applying, please Contact Us.

Imagination Library

As a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we provide one free, high-quality book per month to all enrolled children.

Books are delivered by mail to registered children each month from birth to age five, no matter their family's income.
Each title is selected by a panel of literacy specialists, who choose books that meet the age-specific developmental needs of young children.
If you are interested in enrolling, Click Here to Register. Please Contact Us if you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process.

Weekend Backpack Program

A program offering preschool children nutritious meals when school meals are not available.

The program aims to assist preschool children who are at risk of experiencing food insecurity by providing weekend and holiday meals for enrolled children during the school year.
If you are interested in applying, please Contact Us.

Parents As Teachers

A program that supports families through home visits and group sessions to ensure children's health, safety, and readiness for school.

Parents as Teachers, PAT, is designed for families with children aged 0-5. The program includes personal visits from a parent educator, group connections with other PAT families, developmental screenings, and connections to outside resources to help families support their children in reaching success.
If you are interested in applying, please Contact Us.

Incredible Years

A 12-week program that provides group support for parents to aid in their child's social and emotional development and behavior.

Incredible Years is a parenting program designed to increase social and emotional competence and prevent, reduce, and treat behavioral and emotional problems in children up to age twelve. LCFS serves approximately 25 families each year.
If you are interested in applying, please Contact Us.