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The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation is thrilled to participate in the incredible work of the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) and the Smart Start Network, as they kick off Smart Start Month this September. This month-long celebration is a testament to their unwavering commitment to our youngest North Carolinians’ health, education, and well-being.
The first five years of a child’s life are crucial. During this time, their brains rapidly develop, building the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. NCPC understands this better than anyone. It has dedicated itself to ensuring that children in North Carolina, from birth to five years old, have the best possible start.
The North Carolina Partnership for Children opened its doors to North Carolina families in 1993 when Governor Jim Hunt recognized the need for young children to have all they require for healthy growth and development. NCPC is a public-private organization working in all 100 counties, with local partnerships in 75 communities.
Recognizing 30 Years of Impact
By declaring September Smart Start Month, the state of North Carolina acknowledges the tireless efforts and leadership of the Smart Start Network over the last three decades. This celebration is not just about recognizing the past, but also about looking to the future with renewed energy and commitment. It is about ensuring that each child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive.
NCECF’s partnership with Smart Start began in the early days of the First 2000 Days initiative. Through local partnerships across the state, business and faith leaders, law enforcement, and local governments were inspired to support the need for investments in early childhood education. These community leaders became champions for investing in our youngest children – from delivering sermons to their congregations to writing op-eds, engaging their professional associations, and more. Local Smart Starts were the engines for this advocacy that still thrives today. Our partnership continues to evolve and we are working with several of them on the NC Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and Family Forward NC®.
Join the Celebration
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, community member, or local leader, there are many ways to get involved. Contact your local Smart Start partnership, participate in events, and help spread the word about the importance of early childhood development. The Smart Start team has created weekly themes to help you educate your network about the importance of early childhood education. Visit their website to get more information.
Together, we can continue to support early childhood education. Let’s make this Smart Start Month a celebration of hope, opportunity, and a bright future for all our children.
Thank you, NCPC and Smart Start, for your incredible dedication and for leading the way in creating a better tomorrow for our youngest learners. We are honored to stand with you and support your mission.