Each Child. Every Community.

Over the past years, Smart Start has significantly expanded early literacy programs. Literacy affects our state’s ability to create a workforce needed to compete in the global market and ensure our future prosperity. Recognizing that a majority of language development occurs in the first few years of life, Smart Start provides programs that develop early literacy skills needed for success in school, work, and life. Smart Start brings proven national programs to the children and families of North Carolina, including Reach Out and Read and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL).

• Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides a free, age appropriate book each month to children age birth to 5.
• Reach Out and Read supports doctors in their efforts to “prescribe” reading to young children and families during well-child visits through early literacy guidance.
• Raising a Reader rotates bright red bags filled with award-winning books in children’s homes on a weekly basis, exposing children to over 100 books per cycle.
• Motheread/Fatheread combines the teaching of parent literacy skills with child development and family support.

In fiscal year 2020-2021, the following significant accomplishments were a result of Smart Start early literacy efforts:

• • In less than two years, every child under the age of 5 in North Carolina had access to DPIL, and by July 2023, the Smart Start network had distributed more than 15 million books to North Carolina children.
  • Smart Start served over 83,051 children through Reach Out and Read (ROR).
    • Parents participating in ROR are 97% more likely to be using one or more recommended reading strategies with their children.
    • 61% of parents returning to the doctor that are participating in ROR help their child identify shapes, colors, and letters versus only 43% of families new to the program.
  • Over 5,071 parents and guardians participated in Raising a Reader
    • Parents reported a better understanding of how to make reading time more effective by reading the book’s title to the child, sitting close, praising the child, and asking the child questions.