Parenting Support
We know that one of the best ways to support children ages birth through five is to support their families. Well-supported families are connected to the people, resources, and tools they need to raise healthy, happy children.
Mira este video de Ana Kane y Monica Rohena hablando sobre el trabajo de Smart Start con las familias en el condado de New Hanover.
Parents as Teachers
Parents and caregivers with young children enjoy our Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, which supports parents in learning about healthy child development and school readiness. Families receive home visits and meet up with other families in the program for fun activities around the community.
Circle of Parents
Peer Support for Parents
Smart Start facilitates several Circle of Parents programs in the Wilmington community for parents of children ages 0-8. All parents and caregivers are welcome to join, and older siblings are welcome, too. The whole family enjoys a meal together before the kids join the children’s group and the parents begin their discussions. There is no cost to participants, and meals are provided for the whole family free of charge.
Special Needs Support
Smart Start’s Circle of Parents peer support group is for parents of children with special needs or special health care needs. The group meets weekly during the school year, providing meals for the whole family and programming for children ages 0-12. There is no cost to participants, and meals are provided for the whole family free of charge.
Early Learning Resource Center
Parents and caregivers of children birth to five have access to books, learning materials, and a play space for their little ones. Early educators and child care providers have access to books, activity kits, and low-cost supplies for their classrooms.
Parenting Questions
Knowing where to turn for help can be challenging. Smart Start is here to answer parenting questions and provide proven strategies to help address challenges that parents and caregivers often face. Contact Smart Start at (910) 815-3731.
Parents as Teachers
PAT services are provided to families with children ages 0-5, including expectant parents. Trained parent educators visit families two times a month to offer activities from the PAT curriculum. Activities support parent-child interactions and teach parents about child development in different focus areas. Parent educators offer resources, help families get connected to other community programs, and encourage parents to learn from other parents during Group Connection events. Health and developmental screenings are also offered as part of the program. There is no cost to participants.
The first step to getting enrolled in Parents as Teachers at Smart Start of New Hanover County is to request a Getting to Know You Visit, when two parent educators will visit your home to share more about the program. Fill out the information form or contact us to request a Getting to Know You Visit.
Contact options:
- Email Winny Jimenez, Bilingual Parent Educator, for support in English or Spanish
- Call (910) 815-3731, x 1019, Winny Jimenez
- Providers can fill out this Referral & Info Request Form
download flyer
English & Español
Triple P ® (Positive Parenting Program)
Triple P has been in use worldwide for more than 40 years. Trained coaches offer customized support at different levels depending on the family’s needs. All programming is focused on addressing the needs of children ages birth-5 and offered at no cost to participants.
Triple P Level 2—Brief Primary Care— Offers parents and caregivers 1-2 individual coaching sessions to help learn techniques to address specific behaviors or challenges their child is exhibiting. Participants also receive Tip sheets full of helpful information and ideas to use at home.
Triple P Level 2—Selected Seminars—A series of three, 90-minute workshops designed to get large groups of parents thinking about how to raise resilient, confident children. Smart Start partners with community service providers to offer the training.
To request more information about hosting a Triple P Selected Seminar at your organization or agency, please email Janel Washington
Contact options:
- Email Janel Washington, Positive Parenting Program Coordinator
- Call (910) 815-3731, x1024, or ask for Janel
- Providers can fill out this Referral & Info Request Form
Triple P ® (Positive Parenting Program) – Selected Seminars
Smart Start of New Hanover County offers Triple P Selected Seminars, which is a series of 90-minute workshops designed to get large groups of parents thinking about how to raise resilient, confident children. Smart Start partners with schools and community service providers to offer the training upon request at locations throughout the community.
Upcoming Seminars
- Parenting is hard! Let us help you become the calm, confident parent you’ve always wanted to be.
- Topics support kindergarten and school readiness. Choose the topics that interest you or attend all three workshops! And bring a friend!
- Free workshops for parents of kids ages 0-5
Contact 910.815.3731 for meeting location.
To request more information about hosting a Triple P Selected Seminar at your school or agency:
- Email Janel Washington, Positive Parenting Program Coordinator
- Call (910) 815-3731, x1024, or ask for Janel
- Providers can fill out this Information Form
Peer Support for Parents—Circle of Parents ® in the Community
Smart Start facilitates several Circle of Parents programs in the Wilmington community for parents of children ages 0-8 and parents of children with special needs ages 0-12. All parents and caregivers are welcome to join, and older siblings are welcome, too. The whole family enjoys a meal together before the kids join the children’s group and the parents begin their discussions. There is no cost to participants.
Meeting Times
Wednesdays 5:30-7pm
Parents of children ages 0-8 2026 Schedule
Church of the Servant
4925 Oriole Drive, Wilmington
Thursdays 5:30-7pm
Parents of children with special needs ages 0-12
First Christian Church
2035 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
Park behind church & enter by the fellowship hall.
Contact options:
- Email Janel Washington, Parent Educator
- For support in Spanish, email Winny Jimenez, Bilingual Parent Educator
- Parents can fill out this Information Form
- Providers can fill out this Referral & Info Request Form
download flyer
English
Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Groups
Parents of kids ages 0-5 have a ton of fun in our weekly play groups, where a trained facilitator and peer support leader offer activities and guidance from the Kaleidoscope Play and Learn curriculum along with other resources. There is no cost to participate.
Weekly Play Groups
MONDAYS from 10:30am – 12:00pm
Pine Valley Library, The Nest
3802 S College Rd, Wilmington
Main Library Downtown
230 Grace St, Wilmington (Project Grace)
FRIDAYS from 10:30am-12pm
Northeast Regional Library, Sapling
1241 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington
Contact options:
- Email: Adrienne DeBouse, KPL Facilitator or Ana Kane, Bilingual Parent Educator, for support in Spanish
- Call: Adrienne at (910) 815-3731 x1013 (English) or Ana at (910) 815-3731 x1016 (Spanish)
- Parents can fill out this Information Form
- Providers can fill out this Referral & Info Request Form
