The Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) introduced its First Things First public awareness campaign early in 1999. Endorsed by South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges and State Department of Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, the campaign is conducted through vigorous media outreach to include: television commercials, outreach sessions in schools, churches and local social services offices, advertising in movie theaters and dissemination of information across the State of South Carolina. Since its inception, this program has received several award nominations to include an Emmy nomination for public service announcement in the year 2000. It was also recognized as one of the top three public awareness campaigns in the United States in 2000 by the National Child Support Enforcement Association.

The mission of the First Things First campaign is to increase the public’s knowledge of the value of setting priorities in life at a very young age. It is the intended goal to bring into focus the realities that children and young adults will have to face certain decisions in life, and now is the best time for children and parents to strive together to make responsible decisions. The First Things First message is:

Get an education. Get a job. Get married. Then have a child.

The program is divided into two levels. One level is geared toward children in grades 3-5. This presentation lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes (depending on time allotment) and consists of a PowerPoint presentation and a question and answer period. The other level is geared toward young people in grades 6-12. This presentation lasts 45 to 90 minutes (depending on time allotment) and consists of a PowerPoint presentation, a video, a question and answer period, and skits.

The presentations are filled with graphics, music and valuable information appropriate for each age group. The presentations are intended to confront issues such as decision-making, educational and employment choices, marriage, having children and goal-setting. These presentations provide frank but objective discussion of legal, financial and emotional support.

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