Each Child. Every Community.

The Smart Start Network serves as the backbone of North Carolina’s early childhood system, connecting state and local efforts to create opportunities for young children and families to thrive. With a coordinated vision for early childhood both locally and statewide, Smart Start leverages its infrastructure to efficiently manage state-funded programs, pilot innovative initiatives, and address the unique needs of communities across North Carolina. 

This vital infrastructure enables Smart Start to bring together public and private funding to drive system-level change—proving that a strong foundation of support leads to real impact for North Carolina’s youngest residents. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL): Expanding Early Literacy 

In 2017, the NC General Assembly partnered with NCPC to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), a program that mails age-appropriate books monthly to registered children under the age of 5. By harnessing Smart Start’s strong community roots, DPIL saw rapid and unprecedented growth. 

• In less than two years, every child under 5 in North Carolina had access to DPIL. 
• By June 30, 2024, Smart Start distributed over 18.9 million books statewide, increasing enrollment from 8% in 2017 to 50% in 2024. 
• In 2023, the NC General Assembly allocated an additional $1.5 million to sustain program growth amidst rising book and shipping costs. 

Impact on Families: “DPIL has exposed us to diverse languages, cultures, and family structures that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to learn about. I learn along with my kids from their books.” 

NC Pre-K: Supporting School Readiness Statewide 

The NC Pre-K Program delivers high-quality educational experiences to eligible 4-year-olds to ensure school readiness. Smart Start plays a critical role by providing the infrastructure and local flexibility needed for program success. 

• 46 Local Partnerships administer NC Pre-K in 55 counties, investing an additional $7.9 million to enhance classroom support.
• Local Partnerships collaborate with providers and serve as co-chairs on local NC Pre-K committees to address barriers to access and meet community needs. 

Success Stories: 

• In Stokes County, a mother shared her story about her 22-year-old son, who was born with a profound hearing impairment. After moving to Stokes when her son was 4, she sought resources to help prepare him for school and enrolled him in the More at Four program, now known as NC Pre-K, which was administered by the Stokes Partnership for Children. She credits his success in school and college, where he graduated summa cum laude, to his quality early education in NC Pre-K.  
• Buncombe Partnership for Children addressed barriers to NC Pre-K access, including transportation, scheduling, and location issues. They provided monthly gas cards to 45 families, extra car seats to 7, wrap-around care for 6 families, and ensured 24 children received summer care who otherwise would not have had access. 

NC Child Care Tri-Share Pilot Program: A Public-Private Solution 

Launched in FY 2023-2024, the NC Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program is a groundbreaking initiative that splits the cost of child care between employers, employees, and the state. 

The NC General Assembly allocated $900,000 to fund three Regional Hubs, administered by Smart Start Local Partnerships for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025.  

NCPC and DCDEE selected Cleveland County Partnership for Children and Families to serve Cleveland, Rutherford, Henderson, Lincoln, and Gaston Counties; Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children to serve Martin and Pitt Counties; and Partners for Children and Families of Moore County, to serve Moore, Chatham, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland, and Union Counties. Additional counties may also join Tri-Share as the Pilot grows. 

Smart Start’s trusted leadership, programmatic expertise, and deep community connections ensure the program’s efficient operation and future scalability. 

WAGE$: Investing in Early Educators 

The Child Care WAGE$ Program, administered with Child Care Services Association, supplements early educator salaries based on education levels. Smart Start Local Partnerships invested in WAGE$ to support teachers and promote workforce retention. 

• In FY 2023-2024, 64 Local Partnerships supported 4,079 teachers with wage supplements. 

Teacher Perspective: “WAGE$ is a consistent program that helps me and encourages me to hang in there. The extra funds are such a blessing for my family child care home.” 

Family Connects: Universal Newborn Home Visiting Pilots 

In collaboration with Family Connects International, Smart Start launched an 8-county pilot program in 2021 to provide home visits for families of newborns. Funded by the Preschool Development Grant, the program achieved significant results: 

• 3,630 families received 5,987 home visit across rural and underserved regions. 
• Nurses shared vital information, emotional support, and referrals to community resources, addressing critical gaps in care and support. 

Impact Story: A young woman caring for her siblings and newborn found hope through Family Connects. Overwhelmed by mental health challenges, she received critical emotional support and resource referrals. Months later, her resilience shines as she balances parenting, education, and well-being. 

NC Healthy & Resilient Communities Initiative (NC HRCI): Building Resilience 

Through funding from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Smart Start serves as the backbone agency for NC HRCI, a statewide initiative to reduce trauma and promote resilience. This work addresses the 4 Realms of ACEs: childhood experiences, community environments, climate events, and cultural adversities. 

• Smart Start brings together 40 multi-sector collaboratives to build capacity and implement trauma-informed strategies. 
• Local Partnerships lead resiliency efforts by hosting trainings, organizing community summits, and launching data-driven solutions. 

Highlight: The Tri-County Regional Resiliency Workgroup in Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson Counties hosted the 2023 Resilience Summit, bringing together 150 participants to strengthen protective factors like connectedness and shared resources. 

The Smart Start Network exemplifies what a strong statewide infrastructure can achieve for young children, families, and communities. By leveraging public-private partnerships, innovative programming, and deep local connections, Smart Start continues to be the backbone of North Carolina’s early childhood system—driving impactful, systemic change where it’s needed most.