Empowering Parents with Tech: How SC Revolutionized Access to Early Childhood Services (with Georgia Mjartan)

Georgia Mjartan joined Early Matters to highlight First Five SC, a pioneering, tech-driven solution transforming how parents in South Carolina access essential services for children under five. Developed by South Carolina First Steps under Georgia's leadership, First Five SC streamlines access to publicly funded services like healthcare, childcare, and nutritional support through an innovative, user-friendly website. 

Before First Five SC, parents had to navigate a confusing and frustrating maze of government bureaucracy to get the help they needed. Now, the initiative provides a simple, centralized digital entry point, cutting through the red tape and putting families at the center of government services.  

The impact has been remarkable. In its first year, over 137,000 families visited the platform, leading to more than 2,400 completed applications. First Five SC was also recognized for its success at the 27th Annual Webby Awards, an internationally respected honor for excellence on the internet. 

Other states are taking note. With support from the newly launched First Five for All initiative, states like Nevada are adopting the model to better serve their communities. By making access to early childhood services more efficient, First Five SC is setting a new standard for how government can better support families. 

About the Guest

Georgia Mjartan is the president and CEO of the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Previously, she served for seven years as executive director of South Carolina First Steps, ensuring that the state’s young children are prepared for school, healthy, and supported by their parents and community. Before joining First Steps, Georgia served for 12 years as executive director of Our House in Little Rock, Arkansas, an anti-poverty program empowering low-income and homeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, school, and life. 

Georgia has been recognized for her work by Southern Living Magazine, which named her one of the 2016 “Southerners of the Year.” She has also been named “Nonprofit Executive of the Year,” “Arkansan of the Year,” and a “Woman of Influence” by business journals in Arkansas and South Carolina.  

Relevant Links
South Carolina First Steps:  https://www.scfirststeps.org
First 5 SC:   https://first5sc.org
First Five for All:   https://www.first5forall.org

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