A reliance on state funding has not been a healthy financial formula recently for Cherokee County First Steps in providing services to preschool children.

State funding has provided the majority of local First Steps budgets since the program's inception in 2001 under former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges. Cherokee County First Steps has seen its budget dwindle from $270,000 two years ago to a projected $207,669 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

This has prompted Cherokee County First Steps Executive Director Dorothy Priester to branch out into fundraising and grant writing. First Steps is a statewide early childhood initiative whose mission is to help prepare preschool-age children for the first grade.

Priester will enroll this fall in the Sisters of Charity Foundation Learning Academy. She will attend graduate classes two days a month at Columbia College in a program focused on strengthening the personal and education skills of nonprofit organization leaders.

Priester will be involved in the Sisters of Charity Foundation training class from August through December. She has received a $1,700 foundation grant to cover her travel costs and accommodations while participating in the monthly classes.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'm always interested in learning ways to do something," Priester said. "We are in the process of organizing our first local fundraiser for First Steps this fall. We are actively applying for grants and speaking with community groups in an effort to support popular programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library."

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a monthly book mailing program for children up to age 5. A total of 910 Cherokee County children presently receive free books through the First Steps program

First Steps needs $25,000 this year to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program at its present level. A change in state First Steps funding rules and a need for more financial stability has prompted the Cherokee County First Board to start its own fundraiser this fall.

First Steps will hold a Family Fun Fest Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Gaffney Middle School from 1-5 p.m. The event will feature games, live music, food, bingo, and door prizes.

"The Family Fun Fest will help Cherokee County First Steps mobilize resources beyond state-allocated funds for Dolly Parton Imagination Library," Priester said.