Did you know Smart Start is more than a funder of child-serving agencies across Mecklenburg County? We are a collaborator, leader, and convener in the early childhood space. Our team, together with the agencies we fund, ensure that children turn five ready to thrive. Continue reading to learn more about our current innovation efforts and how you can help support our mission. Together we can make sure families with young children age 0-5 receive the support and connections to resources that they need to succeed.

Happy new school year!

Most of us had hoped that “happy” would have felt more true to its intended meaning by now and that learning during a pandemic had passed us by. But the reality is that we are heading into another challenging year.

Despite the adversity in our past, present, and future, we at Smart Start of Mecklenburg County remain motivated by what is possible rather than discouraged by what sometimes feels impossible.

Our program teams are planning in coordination with our partners in the early childhood community. We will continue to invest our human and financial capital in the community to ensure that all children turn five ready to thrive. Among our many initiatives, we are very excited to roll out the second year of our innovation grants, which we believe will extend funding towards marginalized populations more equitably.  

Taking the theme of innovation one step further, we are thrilled to announce that Mary-Margaret Kantor has recently joined us as Smart Start’s new Chief Early Education Officer. In this role, Mary-Margaret will oversee the growing MECK Pre-K program and work with key community leaders to define the vision for Universal Pre-K in Mecklenburg County.

Thank you for supporting our mission!
Jake House
CEO
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is known for its allocation of state, county, and private funds to local early childhood serving agencies.

In order to increase impact and innovation, in the spring of 2021, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County granted over $115,000 in one-time funding for innovative projects addressing gaps in services for families and children ages birth to five.

Click the link below for a glimpse into the success of their outcomes.
Tune in as Jake House, CEO, is interviewed by Christian Noguera at Spectrum News. Together they discuss the recent innovative shift of Smart Start's funded program, Guiding Parents to Services. The program now works with families using the services provided by the Children’s Developmental Services Agency as they transition to CMS.
We mobilize resources, forge partnerships, and support families to improve early childhood health, education, and development - all to help ensure children are prepared for kindergarten.

Click the links to learn more about our funded programs within our four areas of focus for children ages birth to five.
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