Smart Start & The North Carolina Partnership for Children

Study: NC Child Care Generates Jobs and Billions in Revenue

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 | Author: Vivian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tracy Zimmerman
Date: September 22, 2011 tzimmerman@smartstart.org, 919-821-9546

Statewide report with new county information released today

RALEIGH, NC— Child care in North Carolina generates $1.7 billion in revenue annually and accounts for at least 49,600 jobs—more than real estate, nursing facilities, and chemical manufacturing—according to a study released by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development and The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc (NCPC). The report and new information about the economic impact of the child care industry in each county is available today on www.smartstart.org. The report finds that the early care and education industry is a significant economic driver, generating income tax through direct employment as well as by allowing 380,000 North Carolina parents with young children to work, earning $12.5 billion annually in revenue.

Today, 445,000 North Carolina children birth through five live in homes where all parents work. That is 59 percent of the state’s youngest children who rely on child care providers or other caregivers during a time of critical brain development. Science shows that before the age of three, the human brain develops faster than any other time in life. A recent study by Duke University found that young children in communities that had more funding for the Smart Start and More at Four early education initiatives, performed better on third grade reading and math tests and had fewer special education placements.

“Businesses rely on employees, and employees rely on quality child care,” said Dr. Olson Huff, M.D., Board Chair of NCPC. “Early education benefits employers now and our entire society in the long-term. We should be investing in, not cutting, programs that strengthen our early care and education system.”

During the past legislative session, Smart Start and NC Pre-K (formerly More at Four) each received 20 percent cuts to funding, resulting in fewer services for children, including fewer slots in preschool programs.
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The earliest years of childhood are critical. Experiences during this time literally shape the structure of the brain. Because today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents and workers, everyone has a stake in making sure all children have the experiences they need to thrive. Smart Start is the system that brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org.

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Smart Start Thanks Gov.Perdue for Commitment to Early Education Quality and Accessibility

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 | Author: Vivian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug 10, 2011

Statement on Governor Perdue’s Executive Order to Protect the Academic Integrity and Accessibility of NC Pre-Kindergarten Program

Today, Gov. Bev Perdue instructed the state agency in charge of North Carolina’s pre-kindergarten program to preserve the high standards, quality and accessibility of this crucial academic program for at-risk children.

The General Assembly’s budget made significant changes to NC Pre-K (formerly known as More at Four). Changes include a 20 percent cut in funding that reduces the availability of the program to at-risk children, a parent co-pay that could charge families up to ten percent of their income, and the transfer of the program from the Department of Public Instruction to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Olson Huff, Board Chair of The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

“Today marks an important day for early education in North Carolina. Thanks to Governor Perdue’s actions, that state’s youngest children can continue to benefit from early learning programs that we know improve academic performance.

Her decision is backed by years of research that shows learning begins at birth, well before children enter Kindergarten at age 5. It is further supported by studies proving that the state’s early learning programs, Smart Start and what was formerly More at Four, are moving education in the right direction, improving our children’s reading and math scores in elementary school.

We thank Governor Perdue for taking a strong stand today to ensure a brighter future for our youngest children, especially at-risk children. Her actions will strengthen the entire education system, benefitting children, schools, and the future of North Carolina as a whole.”
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Smart Start is the state’s early childhood infrastructure. Smart Start local partnerships serve as a system to convene stakeholders to assess local needs; ensure accountability; and leverage community, state and federal resources. Local partnerships have established community networks that bridge education, health services, and family supports to best meet the needs of young children and their families. Learn more at www.smartstart.org.

Media Contact: Vivian Muzyk
vmuzyk@ncsmartstart.org

Phone: 919-821-9571

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Court Ruling First Ever to Acknowledge Importance of Birth to Five in Education Continuum

Friday, July 22nd, 2011 | Author: Vivian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Leaders Tout North Carolina Landmark Decision

Raleigh, NC—North Carolina Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, Jr. issued the first court ruling that acknowledges the pivotal role early education plays in allowing at-risk children to avail themselves of their right to a sound basic education. He issued the ruling earlier this week. Leaders from around the country are touting the landmark decision.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time that a court has recognized what decades of scientific research have shown—that the foundation for learning (whether strong or weak) is built long before a child starts kindergarten. Indeed, science tells us that early experiences literally shape the architecture of the developing brain. With this knowledge as a context, the Court’s decision is legally responsible, economically wise, and morally commendable,” said Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

“This will be a moment written about in future history books. For the first time, a court has acknowledged the influential role of early learning, beginning at birth, in the education continuum,” said Charles Kolb, president of the Committee for Economic Development. “The ruling is based on the same profound science that has rallied business leaders to support quality early education as part of America’s education system. North Carolina is once again making early education history. I can only hope that the rest of the country will not be far behind.”

The ruling is part of the long-running Leandro case. That case established the standard that all children have the constitutional right to a sound basic education. In 2000, Judge Manning said that the state was obligated to provide pre-kindergarten education to “at-risk” children. North Carolina began More at Four in response to the ruling. In June, the court held a hearing in which the Leandro plaintiffs challenged the budget cuts enacted by the legislature for the coming year, particularly the changes to More at Four.

Throughout the decision, Judge Manning emphasized the importance of early education, calling particular attention to Smart Start, North Carolina’s early childhood system that serves children birth to five. “Put another way, each at-risk child under age 4 that is receiving services from Smart Start will be better prepared, physically and developmentally, to benefit from NCPK’s educationally based prekindergarten programs when they arrive at age 4.” Judge Manning wrote.

He noted, “The bottom line . . . is that the State, using the combination of Smart Start and the More at Four Pre-Kindergarten Programs, have indeed selected pre-kindergarten combined with early childhood programs, as the means to ‘achieve constitutional compliance’ for at-risk prospective enrollees.”

The ruling is online at http://bit.ly/mQxCoy.

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Smart Start is the system that brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org

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National Leaders Tout NC Landmark Decision

Friday, July 22nd, 2011 | Author: Tracy

Early learning advocates have cause to celebrate this week! For the first time, a court in the United States acknowledged the importance of birth to five in the education continuum.

North Carolina Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, Jr. issued the first court ruling that speaks to the pivotal role early education plays in allowing at-risk children to avail themselves of their right to a sound basic education. He issued the ruling earlier this week.

Leaders from around the country are touting the landmark decision.

Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
“To my knowledge, this is the first time that a court has recognized what decades of scientific research have shown—that the foundation for learning (whether strong or weak) is built long before a child starts kindergarten. Indeed, science tells us that early experiences literally shape the architecture of the developing brain. With this knowledge as a context, the Court’s decision is legally responsible, economically wise, and morally commendable.”

Charles Kolb, president of the Committee for Economic Development
“This will be a moment written about in future history books. For the first time, a court has acknowledged the influential role of early learning, beginning at birth, in the education continuum,” said. “The ruling is based on the same profound science that has rallied business leaders to support quality early education as part of America’s education system. North Carolina is once again making early education history. I can only hope that the rest of the country will not be far behind.”.

The ruling is part of the long-running Leandro case. That case established the standard that all children have the constitutional right to a sound basic education. In 2000, Judge Manning said that the state was obligated to provide pre-kindergarten education to “at-risk” children. In June, the court held a hearing in which the Leandro plaintiffs challenged the budget cuts enacted by the legislature for the coming year.

How this will play out in practical terms remains to be seen. But as Judge Manning wrote, “This case has always been about the rights of children.”

Download the ruling.

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Smart Start Receives Clean Audit Report

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 | Author: Smart Start

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH-For the ninth consecutive year, The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) has a “clean bill” of financial health, according to the Office of State Auditor. An audit of Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Smart Start activities found the organization was in compliance and had appropriate internal controls. NCPC is the organization that oversees Smart Start and is audited annually.

In the past ten years, NCPC and Smart Start local partnerships have been audited more than 450 times by State auditors and/or independent auditors hired by the state. NCPC has had no audit findings for the past nine years. In the past two years, 77 partnerships were audited, and had no findings.

Auditors look for compliance in three core areas: accuracy of financial statements; how the partnership processes and authorizes transactions such as grants, accounts payable, payroll and cash receipts; and contract compliance.

“Smart Start is a public-private partnership with the highest standards of accountability. This latest clean audit reflects those high standards. Smart Start is a trusted partner that works effectively and efficiently to serve young children,” said Dr. Olson Huff, Chair of the NCPC Board of Directors.

Smart Start is an early childhood leadership network that leverages private and public dollars to address issues critical to North Carolina’s young children and future workforce. The initiative serves all 100 North Carolina counties and is administered by 77 local Smart Start partnerships that create community-based programs. Smart Start financially supports programs that increase the number of quality early childhood programs, provide education for early childhood workers, support parent education programs and connect families with medical services.

NCPC places great emphasis on local control, coupled with strict accountability, oversight and measures to ensure financial integrity.
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The earliest years of childhood are critical. Experiences during this time literally shape the structure of the brain. Because today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents and workers, everyone has a stake in making sure all children have the experiences they need to thrive. Smart Start is the system that brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org.

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Children’s Advocacy Day

Thursday, March 10th, 2011 | Author: Smart Start

Action for Children NC, the Covenant with North Carolina’s Children, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., NC MomsRising, the NC Pediatric Society, the Child Care Coalition and others will join forces for a day of educating the General Assembly on the importance of children’s programs and services, including health insurance for children, child care subsidies and early education, infant mortality prevention funding, and community-based services for at-risk youth. Children did not create the current budget crisis and they should not have to shoulder the burden of solving it.

When: Tuesday, March 15. 9 am; press conference at 11:30.

Where: NC General Assembly, 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Children’s Advocacy Day table will be set up in the 1100 court in the Legislative Building. Press conference will be held in front of the Legislative Building (on Jones St.).

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Statement on the GOP Leadership Budget Targets

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 | Author: Smart Start

Today, the GOP Leadership GOP announced spending targets for the General Assembly budget committees. They have directed the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Education and Health and Human Services to consider consolidating/eliminating Smart Start and More at Four.

Dr. Olson Huff, Board Chair of The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

“I am saddened for the children of North Carolina that the General Assembly would even consider eliminating Smart Start or More at Four.

Children, particularly our youngest children, need to be priority one. It is not hyperbole to state that the lives of a generation of children hang in the balance. The impact of continued disinvestment will be compounded over generations. We know too much to let this happen. Neuroscience has changed how we think of the earliest years. Images of the brain show that the experiences children have early in life literally shape the wiring of the brain and strongly affect whether a child grows up to be a healthy, productive member of society.

In the words of my colleague Dr. Jack Shonkoff of the Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, ‘Once you know what we know about brain development, how do you morally walk away?’

North Carolinians do not want to walk away. In fact they want more early childhood investments, not less. During the height of the recession, 800 parents, business leaders, elected officials, health care providers, and early childhood professionals agreed that ensuring access to high-quality early care and education programs needed to be a top priority for the state. Similarly, a recent poll by Public Policy Polling that found the majority of NC voters do not support cuts to early childhood funding. And more than 2.000 North Carolinians have signed the Children’s Pledge asking policymakers to protect early childhood investments.

Members of the General Assembly were elected to do the ‘people’s business.’ The people want to ensure that all children have a fair opportunity to succeed.”
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Smart Start is the state’s early childhood infrastructure. Smart Start local partnerships serve as a system to convene stakeholders to assess local needs; ensure accountability; and leverage community, state and federal resources. Local partnerships have established community networks that bridge education, health services, and family supports to best meet the needs of young children and their families. Learn more at www.smartstart.org.

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Governor’s Office Awards Smart Start’s Ashley Thrift With the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Friday, September 17th, 2010 | Author: Smart Start

Former Gov. Jim Hunt also on hand to honor the outgoing Board Chair.

The Office of Gov. Bev Perdue honored Ashley Thrift, outgoing Board Chair for The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), the organization that leads Smart Start, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Thursday morning at the organization’s offices in Raleigh. The award is one of the highest honors the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen. Former Governor Jim Hunt was also on hand to honor Thrift.

Thrift has been a member of the Board of Directors of NCPC since 1995. He was appointed Board Chair in 1997 by then-Gov. Jim Hunt and reappointed by Gov. Mike Easley. Prior to his statewide service, Thrift, who lives in Winston-Salem, was the first Board Chair of the Forsyth Early Childhood Partnership where he led the successful effort to qualify the county to become part of the Smart Start initiative.

Over the years, Thrift has traveled the state and nation speaking out on behalf of young children at-risk of school failure. He has visited all 100 North Carolina counties to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development and funding for Smart Start. For years, he traveled weekly to ask legislators and business leaders to support early childhood efforts.

“Ashley’s warm and personable nature allows him to connect with everyone from parent volunteers to legislators,” said Tannis Nelson, acting Board Chair for NCPC. “His efforts have resulted in needed financial, legislative, and grassroots support to serve more children and expand Smart Start’s reach.”

The award presentation took place during a regular meeting of the statewide board. Howard Lee, Executive Director of the North Carolina Education Cabinet, Stephanie Fanjul, President of NCPC, and Karen Ponder, former President of NCPC were also on hand to honor Thrift.

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“What do North Carolinians Want for Their Children?” report released today

Thursday, August 05th, 2010 | Author: Smart Start

North Carolinians Want Policymakers to Support Families and Increase Access to Quality Early Education

Listen to radio news story.

Access to high-quality early care and education, support for families, and the availability of programs and services to meet basic needs, were voted the top priorities that would make the greatest, lasting impact on the lives of young children across the state. The results appear in a report released today called What do North Carolinians Want for Their Children?, a summary of findings from statewide gatherings of the Smart Investing public engagement initiative, which brought together more than 800 citizens from all walks of life to discuss the needs of young children in the state.

The 23-page report is already making an impact with state leaders, as portions of it were included in the North Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council’s (ECAC) proposal for federal funding. Governor Bev Perdue recently established the ECAC to create and sustain a shared vision for young children in the state. As part of the Governor’s proposal, the ECAC will address the priorities identified by Smart Investing.

“It is important to me to hear from our citizens about what they consider the most pressing needs for North Carolina’s children,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “The Early Childhood Advisory Council will give careful consideration of the priorities identified by the Smart Investing initiative.”

Smart Investing: Communities Thrive When Children Thrive is a statewide, civic engagement effort to determine how best to invest in children birth to five, for a stronger, more prosperous North Carolina. With funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and support from Lt. Governor Walter Dalton and Smart Start, Smart Investing hosted eight forums and three summits in the last year to determine priorities for young children. Participants from diverse political parties and demographic backgrounds voted and agreed that North Carolina—through its citizens, communities, and government—had a responsibility to advance access to high quality care and education, support for families, and programs and services to meet basic needs. The report also includes participants’ recommendations to meet these needs.

“This report represents the voices of engaged citizens committed to improving the lives of children and strengthening our state,” said Dalton. “I hope that this report will continue to spark action among citizens and leaders who all want the best for North Carolina’s children.”

The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., the organization that leads Smart Start, is committed to addressing the needs identified through Smart Investing and has included some “next steps” in the report. For example, to meet the need for more family support programs, Smart Start will bring The Incredible Years—a program that teaches positive parenting strategies to reduce behavioral problems in children—to more communities.

“The commitments are just the beginning,” said Stephanie Fanjul, President of The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. “This report will continue to inform our work, as we strive to make sure all North Carolina children have all they need for their healthy growth and development.”

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Retired School Administrator Honored with Smart Start’s Ashley O. Thrift Volunteer Service Award

Thursday, June 17th, 2010 | Author: Smart Start

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tracy Zimmerman - Date: May 27, 2010
Phone: 919-821-9564 - tzimmerman@smartstart.org

Raleigh – Bob Shinn, a retired administrator with Kannapolis City Schools, received the 2010 Ashley O. Thrift Volunteer Service Award. Shinn was recognized for 18 years of service to families and young children through his volunteer work with Smart Start. He was honored at the Smart Start Leadership Symposium on Tuesday, May 25, at the Jane S. McKimmon Conference and Training Center in Raleigh. In addition to an inscribed award, a contribution of $1,000 was made in Shinn’s honor to his local Smart Start partnership, the Cabarrus Partnership for Children.

The Volunteer Service Award was established to honor Ashley O. Thrift, a Forsyth County attorney and 14-year Board Chair of The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), Inc., the organization that leads Smart Start. Thrift has been part of Smart Start since its inception, serving as Board Chair of the local Smart Start partnership in Forsyth County before joining the NCPC board. Thrift has advocated tirelessly for Smart Start, visiting every county in the state on Smart Start’s behalf. The Volunteer Service award, in its second year, is given annually to honor a current or past Smart Start Local Partnership Board Chair who embodies Thrift’s dedication.

Shinn’s volunteer service with Smart Start totals more than 18 years at the local and state level. Shinn has been a Board Chair for the Cabarrus County Partnership for Children since 2001. He has served on the NCPC board and on various NCPC committees including the NCPC Board Executive Committee, the Search Committee that hired Stephanie Fanjul as President of NCPC, and the Audit and Finance Committee. In addition, Shinn has been a visible and active volunteer leader in the Cabarrus community including service on the Dental Health and Teen Task Forces of Healthy Cabarrus, as well as with the Kannapolis School System’s Community Child Protection Team.

“Being the recipient of the Ashley Thrift Award is indeed an honor. Even more so, it is one more moment to call attention to the wonderful work being done for the children of North Carolina in all our partnerships,” said Shinn. “It is these collective accomplishments that we truly highlight. It gives us another opportunity to celebrate that work and emphasize its importance.”

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The earliest years of childhood are critical. Experiences during this time literally shape the structure of the brain. Because today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents and workers, everyone has a stake in making sure all children have the experiences they need to thrive. Smart Start is the system that brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org/about.

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