Support for Smart Start – Joan Lombardi
When I think of pioneering efforts to improve the lives of young children in the United States, Smart Start comes to the top of the list. Over the past 20 years, Smart Start has not only affected the lives of thousands upon thousands of children in North Carolina, but has served as model for public private partnerships in the US and around the World.
From the very beginning, your work to address the comprehensive needs of children and families…from improving the quality of child care, to advancing child health and supporting families, has been a beacon of hope and a landmark effort that has led to lasting results for young children and helped set them on the road to success.
Smart Start has become an icon for statewide community early childhood efforts. It is in the communities across the state where real change has taken place—where children grow and learn and families are able to thrive.
But it is not just the formal structures that have made a difference, it is the unique dedication of all of the wonderful leaders in North Carolina- the hours and hours, days and day, months and months, years and years, you have all put in, working together, caring together, growing together, learning together…..and in the end making such a huge difference for young children and families.
I send my deepest gratitude, my sincere respect, and my heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate this milestone.
Joan Lombardi, Washington DC
Director, Early Opportunities and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Early Childhood Development, US DHHS.
