Darlington County First Steps (DCFS)

  • Organization type: Community-based organization 

  • Project health topic(s): High-need/high-cost service utilization 

  • Number of CHWs supported: 1 

  • SC region(s) served: Pee Dee (Darlington County) 

  • Participants served: Uninsured and underinsured individuals in Darlington County, with a focus on 29550 and 29532. 

Services provided: 

  • Connect residents to federally qualified health centers, local health departments, and family support services. 

  • Provide education on healthcare access, chronic disease prevention, and social resources. 

  • Conduct community outreach through events, faith-based programs, grassroots outreach, and annual health/resource events with local partners. 

Impact: 

  • Projected to serve 120 individuals annually. 

  • Through CHAI, Darlington County First Steps (DCFS) is expanding its impact by establishing strategic partnerships to assist uninsured individuals in Darlington County. These efforts aim to establish accessible community hubs where the Community Health Worker (CHW) can host standing meeting times and provide support services. 

  • Recently, DCFS met with the Director of the Darlington County Library System to introduce their newly hired CHAI CHW and share information about the services offered to uninsured residents. As a result, discussions are underway to set a recurring schedule at the library to serve community members. Similar efforts are in progress with the Darlington County Housing Authority to establish another hub for outreach and support.DCFS is also actively recruiting eligible participants through local outreach events. One example is their planned participation in the 2025 Gospel in the Park Series, held on Sundays in Hartsville, SC. 

  • CHAI enables DCFS to reach beyond its traditional scope, offering vital resources to uninsured individuals and fostering healthier communities across Darlington County. 

Click here to visit the DCFS website.