Smart Start of Mecklenburg County mobilizes resources, forges partnerships and supports families to improve early childhood health, education and development - all to help ensure children are prepared for kindergarten . Our four areas of focus are early care and education quality and accessibility, family support, health and early literacy for children ages birth to five.

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Registration is open! Learn why our families love MECK Pre-K. Apply today and secure your child’s spot in MECK Pre-K for the 2020-2021 school year.

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Read Charlotte announced a new campaign today to ignite momentum around teaching key pre-literacy skills, a move that has the potential of significantly improving reading scores in Mecklenburg County.

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Our April 7 breakfast promises opportunities to engage with other community leaders while learning from Dena Diorio, the Mecklenburg County manager, on how you can add your voice to influence this work throughout our community.  We invite you or your organization to serve as an Opportunity for Influence sponsor or to just simply attend if you’d prefer.

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TALK, SING AND POINT

Babies and toddlers thrive when their world feels loving, safe, and predictable. Respond with smiles, words, and touch to help them see, hear, and feel your love. You will help them develop a sense of security and self-control.

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WHY YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE 2020 CENSUS

Children are infamously undercounted in the census which directly affects the little ones in our community in a big way. One of the most critical components impacted by the census is the healthcare you and your neighbors receive. North Carolina received billions of dollars in federal funding for programs like Medicaid, Medicare, child health insurance and nutrition assistance based on formulas that incorporate census data.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

AUTISM SUPPORT WORKSHOP FEB. 8 10:30 AM - NOON Guiding Parents to Services (GPS) is a first stop for families as they navigate their personal journey with autism. From 10:30 AM - Noon this Saturday (2/8), GPS is hosting a workshop focused on the NC Innovations Waiver. Learn more and RSVP below. RSVP NOW

COMMUNICATION COUNTS MARCH 14 9 - 11 AM On Saturday, March 14, 2020 Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center will host its first walk/ run at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. All proceeds from Communication Counts will provide access to CSHC's superior speech-language and hearing services that empower and transform lives. Join us in supporting CSHC by 1. Walking or Running with us, 2. Volunteering to be a Team Captain, and/or 3. Donating to our Fundraiser. Registration for adults is $25 and for children 12 and under is $12. Registration includes a t-shirt. LEARN MORE

#CommitTo80 March 19 5:30 - 8 PM Only 39% of Charlotte’s third graders are reading at grade level. It’s up to all of us – at home, in a school, at work, or with a community group – to do what we can, where we can, to help children learn to read. You can make a difference whether it’s one child or a classroom of children, or whether it’s your own child or someone else’s child. We need your help to get 80% of our third graders reading proficiently by 2025. COMMIT NOW

FREE BOOKS - NO CATCH

ALL children in Mecklenburg County are eligible to receive a FREE book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. Start building up your child's at-home library today. SIGN UP

Your donation is a great way to get involved with the community and make a difference in the future of a child. Smart Start of Mecklenburg County accepts donations of services, products, and monetary contributions. All donations are tax deductible.

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