Supporting Families

At Smart Start, we believe that improved outcomes for children, families, and communities are best achieved when local early childhood systems create welcoming spaces where families have a voice in shaping programs and services.

Our Approach

Smart Start partners with families by providing: 

  • Leadership Opportunities: Building advocacy capacity 
  • Parenting Education: Strengthening parent-child relationships 
  • Community Connections: Linking to peers and resources to support concrete needs 

Recognizing that parents are a child’s first teacher, Smart Start offers evidence-based and evidence-informed, family-focused programs that support and educate. Our programs aim to: 

  • Increase parental knowledge of child development 
  • Enhance parent confidence 
  • Promote positive parenting practices 

Through established relationships with parents and caregivers, Smart Start also connects families with other community resources to ensure they have the relational and concrete supports they need to thrive. 

In 2022-2023, 3,692 parents participated in on-going parent education to increase parenting knowledge and skills. The programs include Parents as Teachers (PAT), Nurturing Parenting Program, Nurse Family Partnership, Incredible Years, and more!

Support from NCPC 

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) supports Local Partnerships in implementing and evaluating family support programs by offering: 

  • Communities of practice 
  • Training 
  • Technical assistance on family engagement and leadership 

Impact of Our Programs 
The impact of our family support programs includes: 

  • Increasing positive parenting practices 
  • Enhancing parent social support 
  • Expanding knowledge of parenting and child development 
  • Improving access to basic needs for families 
  • Boosting social and emotional development for children 

Our Reach
Sixty-five Local Smart Start Partnerships offer at least one family support program or service to support children and their families. Some of the programs supported and administered by the Smart Start Network include:

  • Parents as Teachers 
  • Kaleidoscope Play and Learn 
  • Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) 
  • Circle of Parents 
  • Nurturing Parenting Program 
  • Nurse-Family Partnership 
  • And more!  

In total, there are over 50 family support programs implemented by Smart Start! 

Join us at Smart Start in creating stronger systems of care by partnering with families for a brighter future.

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