We recognize that the responsibility for a family’s success does not rest solely with the family; it is shared with the systems within the community and culture that either help or hinder a family’s ability to succeed. Therefore, Smart Start invests strategically at all levels. This includes our partnerships with local agencies and early childhood experts, our convening work within the community, and on a systems level by identifying the gaps and barriers within our support networks and advocating for change and additional resources. Services include: Charlotte’s bilingual preschool. Local childcare options (including enhanced services for children with special needs or children of teen parents). An income-based high-quality pre-k option for for eligible four-year-old children which prepares them for success in school. Children attend a 6.5 hour school day program following the CMS schedule. Classrooms are located in 4 and 5 star child care centers.The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is designed for low-income mothers and their children. It includes one-on-one home visits by a trained public health registered nurse to participating clients. Topics of the visits include prenatal care, caring for an infant, and promoting young children’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development. “The Basics Mecklenburg” is a public education campaign built on five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles important for healthy brain development for children from birth to age three. “Guiding Parents to Services” (GPS) supports children ages 3 to school age (and their families) by providing navigation, educational, and emotional support to empower families to get the services their child needs.
