Publication Forms

Form Improvements to Increase Access to Childcare: A FormFest 2024 Profile

A profile on FormFest speaker Alissa Durham, featuring stories about her motivations for working on public sector form innovation.

Author: Kate Queram
Published Date: Nov 27, 2024
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2024

Alissa Durham

A common conundrum: Families who most need services often have no idea how to access them—or where to look for more information. In South Carolina, a solution: First Five SC, a digital clearinghouse where families can determine their eligibility and apply for dozens of early childhood programs, all at once.

The initiative began after a statewide needs assessment found that large numbers of parents were interested in high-quality early childhood programs in their communities but had no idea how to find them. That feedback directly informed the design process led by Rachal Hatton-Moore and Tom Lacas, who tested the portal extensively throughout development with both families and internal teams before launching it to the general public last year. Since then, more than 308,000 users have accessed the portal. Nearly two-thirds of those visits occurred outside of typical government office hours, a big win for accessibility—and for Rachal, who joined the SC Early Childhood Advisory Council four years ago as the inaugural 2Generation Systems Manager after two decades of public service aimed at improving service delivery for families.

“My family is from a very rural, isolated, and historically impoverished area of Louisiana, and I believe that a person’s geography should never limit their opportunities…It brought me to social work, and it keeps me here as we continue to advance the field.”

The work is just as personal for Alissa Durham, who joined SC First Steps as First Five coordinator this year after a decade in project management, data analysis, and customer-oriented service. Professionally, she excels at information gathering, communication, and oversight. But as a new parent, she still struggled to find support and resources.

“Having witnessed firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate systems and access essential services, I’m deeply passionate about breaking down those barriers,” she said “The work I do allows me to be part of a larger movement to create more accessible and equitable systems that support parents, children, and communities. There is something incredibly powerful about knowing that, through our efforts, we can help families feel seen, supported, and empowered—ultimately creating a stronger, more connected community for everyone.”

FormFest Session Abstract & Details

Education Forms from Preschool to College

Breakout Session | December 4, 2024 | 12:50 PM-1:50 PMET

Learn from the South Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council’s work developing a single portal to integrate applications for publicly funded programs and services, and from the office of Federal Student Aid’s work on the FAFSA form.

Keeping it simple: Integrating applications that families need, want, and deserve

First Five SC started in 2022 as a way for families to build knowledge about publicly funded early childhood programs and services. The initial product showcased an integrated eligibility screener for over 40 early childhood programs and services across 11 state and federal agencies. This first-of-its-scale application launched in 2023, where in one portal, families could apply for over 20 programs based on their eligibility, location, and preferences. This site attracted more than 97,000 unique visitors in its first year, and over 308,000 since its launch. Over 62% of visitors accessed the site outside the typical 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. office hours. Families are able to quickly find clear information about government services, and easily begin the application process—which they’ve repeatedly told public service leaders is something they need. To support other states, the First Five For All team will share lessons and ideas for building public forms around coordinated eligibility and enrollment.

FormFest 2024

FormFest is a free virtual event showcasing governments working to make services accessible to everyone through online forms. Discover best practices and tools that are shaping the future of form design and service delivery.