Spartanburg County First Steps Expands HealthySteps Program Through Regional Partnership
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 11:30 am
Spartanburg County First Steps has been awarded Innovation Investment funding through South Carolina First Steps to expand HealthySteps®, an evidence-based pediatric primary care program that supports healthy child development and strengthens family well-being.
Through a collaborative partnership with ReGenesis Health Care, Cherokee County First Steps, and Union County First Steps, the program will serve approximately 350 children and their families across Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties during the 2026-2027 program year.
HealthySteps integrates a trained specialist into pediatric care settings to support families of children from birth to age three. Working alongside pediatric providers, HealthySteps specialists offer developmental screenings, family support, parenting guidance, connections to community resources, and care coordination tailored to each family's needs.
"This investment allows us to strengthen support for families during the critical early years of a child's development," said Caroline M. Goins, Executive Director of Spartanburg County First Steps. "By partnering with ReGenesis Health Care and our neighboring First Steps partnerships, we can reach more families with the tools, resources, and support they need to help children thrive from the very beginning."
"I am pleased to enter into this partnership with HealthySteps. Taking care of the needs of our children gives us an opportunity to improve health outcomes for a generation.” said Marlon Hunter, President & CEO of ReGenesis Health Care.
"The pediatric team at ReGenesis is so excited about this opportunity to better meet the needs of our patients and their families,” said Dr. Shana Egge, Director of Pediatrics at ReGenesis Health Care. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to strengthen the social-emotional health of our patients and provide families with additional support and resources through our partnership with HealthySteps."
The regional model leverages shared resources and infrastructure while maintaining strong local connections. The partnership is expected to serve approximately 300 children in Spartanburg County, 40 in Cherokee County, and 10 in Union County.
ReGenesis Health Care will implement the program through two full-time HealthySteps Specialists embedded within its pediatric care team. The specialists will work directly with families during well-child visits and provide ongoing support between appointments.
Research shows that the earliest years of life are critical to a child's long-term health, learning, and development. HealthySteps helps families navigate challenges, access resources, and build strong foundations that promote school readiness and lifelong success.
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About Spartanburg County First Steps
Spartanburg County First Steps is dedicated to improving outcomes for young children and families through high-quality early childhood programs, services, and partnerships. As part of the South Carolina First Steps network, the organization works to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enter school healthy, safe, and ready to succeed.
About ReGenesis Health Care
ReGenesis Health Care is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive health services in ten locations to residents in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties. ReGenesis Health Care is one of 19 federally qualified community health centers in South Carolina and the only center of its kind in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties. Mission: We increase community access to comprehensive healthcare.