Family Support Services

Family Support programs are community-based services that promote school readiness by increasing the stability and involvement of parents in their children’s lives. These programs increase parents’ confidence and competence in their parenting abilities, thereby empowering them to create supportive environments for their children. Smart Start of New Hanover County connects families to the information and resources they need to support their children's emotional, intellectual, and physical development.

Information Services

Community resource information related to health, family support, and child care service for families with children age birth to five. Smart Start of New Hanover County, 815-3731.

Family Community Connections

Educates the community about child care quality, school readiness, child development, health, family support, and integrating family life into the workplace. Enrollment services for NC Health Choice/Health Check insurance is provided. Provides services to Spanish-speaking families, including assistance in applying for health insurance and finding quality child care. Smart Start of New Hanover County, 815-3731.

B.E.A.R. (Building Excitement About Reading)

Promotes early literacy by offering free literacy events and books to children in Title I Pre-K, Head Start, and More at Four programs. (Support from Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., and  New York Times Foundation) Smart Start of New Hanover County, 815-3731.

Baby FAST (Families and Schools Together-Babies)

Intensive support activity that incorporates the entire family in the mentoring and education of teen parents through weekly meetings that nurture family and social relationships and assist in accessing community support services within a setting of peers.  Setting and reaching educational goals is emphasized.  Communities in Schools of Cape Fear, 343-1901.