What is Smart Start?
How does Smart Start work?
Why does Smart Start matter?
Meet the Smart Start Staff and Board
Our Vision
Smart Start of New Hanover County envisions every child entering school with the health, family support and early education necessary to thrive.
Our Mission
Smart Start of New Hanover County seeks to build bridges to develop, sustain and enhance health, family support and early education services for all children, ages birth to five.
Our Beliefs
- The well being and success of every child is critical regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or developmental and learning disabilities.
- The quality of life for young children is basic to adult well-being and the future economic vitality of our community.
- Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher.
- A broad community-based partnership committed to young children should be available to assist parents in their role as primary caregivers.
- The community has the responsibility to provide effective strategies and services to support early education, as well as the development of mentally and physically healthy children.
Racial Equity Statement
The staff and board of Smart Start of New Hanover County have the honor of working with and for families, caregivers, and early educators as they shape the hearts and minds of children in their critical first few years of life. With that honor comes the responsibility to work to ensure not only that we serve all children in every community but also that we actively seek to promote racial justice, stand firmly against racism, and work diligently to eliminate racial disparities. To do this well, we will work in partnership with the community. We welcome the thoughts, insights, and feedback that can help us improve and grow. Only as a learning organization can we do better, and we can learn first by listening.
Smart Start of New Hanover County has a strong history of ongoing organizational excellence. This foundation sets the very highest standards of accountability through strong internal controls and constant programmatic monitoring, allowing optimal use of all funding provided for the children and families of our community.
What Is Smart Start?
Smart Start of New Hanover County shares with the other citizens of New Hanover County a common concern for and commitment to the welfare and future success of our youngest children. As part of a statewide early childhood Initiative, Smart Start of New Hanover County serves as a local leader in developing a comprehensive, collaborative approach to serve the needs of all children, birth to 5, in New Hanover County.
The first 2000 days are critical. A child has about 2,000 days between birth and the start of kindergarten. We know that during this time in a child’s life, the brain grows to 90% of its adult size and children are eager and ready to learn; therefore, their access to high quality health care and learning environments matters greatly. We collaborate with our statewide and local network of community services on behalf of children and their families in order to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enter school prepared for success.
Smart Start of New Hanover County …
- Is a community-based, comprehensive approach serving all children ages 0-5 and their families.
- Funds services in three major areas: health, family support, and early care and education.
- Creates changes in service delivery through innovation and collaboration, building bridges in our community to answer the unmet needs of children and families.
How Does Smart Start Work?
The North Carolina Smart Start Initiative began in 1993 with the mission to “ensure that every child in North Carolina will arrive at school healthy and prepared for success.”
Smart Start of New Hanover County…
- Is a community-based, comprehensive approach serving all children ages 0-5 and their families.
- Funds services in three major areas: health, family support, and early care and education.
- Creates changes in service delivery through innovation and collaboration, works to find ways to address unmet needs in the community.
Smart Start of New Hanover County is a private 501(c)-3 (non-profit) organization.
To learn more about the statewide Smart Start Network, click here.
