Region A Partnership for Children Honored 2025 Champions for Children During Smart Start Month
- Janice Edgerton
- Oct 8
- 5 min read
Governor Josh Stein proclaimed September 2025 as Smart Start Month, a time to celebrate the dedicated network that helps build the foundation for every child in North Carolina to enter school healthy, supported, and ready to learn. In recognition of this important month and the tireless service of individuals in our region, Region A Partnership for Children (RAPC) recently honored eight recipients from the seven westernmost counties and the Qualla Boundary as Champions for Children.
Smart Start, a nationally recognized initiative created in 1993, is North Carolina's system for early childhood health, development, and learning. The Smart Start Network serves children from birth to five by working to raise the quality of childcare, strengthen families, advance child health and development, and improve early literacy across the state. The network also implements crucial state, federal, local, and private programs, including NC Pre-K and childcare subsidy.
During the month of August, local early childhood stakeholders, working with RAPC, chose the Champions, recognizing individuals who have contributed over the years to increasing opportunities for children to achieve their highest potential. This award celebrates their commitment to our local communities and their role in furthering the statewide mission of Smart Start, which is funded through state appropriations and private donations.
Each of the Champions chosen has designated a 501(c)(3) charity of their choice to receive a grant in the Champion’s honor from the Region A Partnership for Children’s Endowment - The Carolina Mountain Trust for Children and Youth. In addition, each Champion received a gift card for their personal use.
We extend our deepest congratulations to these dedicated Champions. Their work inspires us all to lead in service to children and families each day, ensuring every child has a bright start.
Lori Baker, Cherokee County; Teresa Toms-Gillespie, Clay County; Latesha Wiggins, Graham County; Shelly Foreman, Haywood County; Pam Ashe, Jackson County; Felicia Roberts, Macon County; Lea Ann Andrews, Qualla Boundary; Mike Drinkwater, Swain County.
2025 Champions for children
About our champions
Lori Baker, Cherokee County
Lori is a Healthcare Navigator with Legal Aid of North Carolina which provides help with domestic violence, consumer protection, government benefits, health care, and more. Lori attends and provides resources to families at community events in Cherokee County and other parts of the region by representing the Navigator Consortium as well as Legal Aid of NC. She regularly attends and supports the Cherokee County Smart Start/Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team meetings.
Lori has presented information about her work at the Cherokee County Smart Start/Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team meetings. Lori participated in the SS/LICC Team Focus Group and shared information to help develop Region A Partnership for Children’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and provide guidance to the team for the upcoming fiscal year. Lori is an engaged partner with other county Smart Start teams.
Teresa Toms-Gillespie, Clay County
Teresa is a staff supervisor at the Children’s Developmental Service Agency in the far-west. She has been a tireless and dedicated advocate for children and families in the far-west for many years. She serves on the Clay County Smart Start/LICC team as well as the RAPC Board of Directors and is a regular participant and volunteer at community events for families.
Teresa demonstrates a spirit of community collaboration in her engagement with the Smart Start/LICC team and in being available to families where they are. She is a true champion for the well-being and advancement of children, especially those with special needs.
Latesha Wiggins, Graham County
Latesha is the Director of Staff and Student Support Services for Graham County Public Schools, overseeing the Homeless Education/McKinney-Vento, licensure, Mental health services and personnel.
Latesha is a dedicated advocate for the children and families in Graham County. She participated in the Graham County Smart Start/LICC Team Focus Group and shared information to help develop Region A Partnership for Children’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and provide guidance to the team for the upcoming fiscal year. Latesha provides a meeting room for the Graham County Smart Start/Local Agency Coordinating Council Team meetings as well as regularly attending meetings.
Shelly Foreman, Haywood County
Shelly Foreman is the Community Relations Regional Director for Vaya Health which is the public managed care organization that helps individuals with needs related to mental health, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Shelly also serves as the Board Chair for Region A Partnership for Children. Ms. Foreman has been a Smart Start supporter since its inception and a powerful advocate for children and families throughout her career. Shelly Foreman is one of the collaborative partners who is among the leadership in this region, responsible for the overall success of Smart Start and the RAPC for the past 32 years.
Most recently, Shelly has played a vital role in supporting the Parents and Teachers Roll and Read events in Haywood County as well as in the region. Shelly also encourages representatives from Vaya Health to attend the Haywood County Smart Start/Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team meetings.
Pam Ashe, Jackson County
Pam is the owner/operator of Pam’s Child Development Center in Sylva which serves over 75 children ages 3 weeks to 12 years. She has over 30 years of experience in operating a childcare center and over 32 years of childcare experience. Pam has consistently provided compassionate high-quality childcare through the many challenges faced by the childcare community in general and many personal challenges. The center under Pam’s direction has very low teacher turnover and puts the children’s safety, education and health as their top priority.
During the recent Hurricane, Pam went above and beyond to provide care for children so that parents and families could deal with the impacts of the natural disaster. She also paid from her own savings to make sure teachers were paid consistently. No matter what is going on in the world or her life and family, Pam has consistently put the families and children in her care first. She is also generous with her time and resources in many other endeavors when any community needs arise regardless of whether they directly affect her.
Felicia Roberts, Macon County
Felicia is employed by Macon Program for Progress as the Family & Community Outreach Specialist. Felicia oversees the monthly Manna Food distribution in Franklin. She encourages collaboration among other organizations by attending and volunteering at various community events organized by Macon Program for Progress such as the Head Start Block Party.
Felicia helps with reserving the room for the Macon County Smart Start/LICC team meetings. Felicia attends the Macon County Smart Start/Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team meetings and participates in information sharing and planning for the team.
Lea Ann Andrews, Qualla Boundary
Lea Ann is the HOPE Center Coordinator/ Early Intervention Specialist through the Cherokee Central Schools. She has served children and families through the HOPE center for many years. The HOPE Center coordinates early intervention services and Pre-K classrooms.
Lea Ann is the secretary for the Qualla Boundary Smart Start / Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team. She participates in the Qualla Children’s Fair as well as the Celebrating Autism event.
Mike Drinkwater, Swain County
Mike is a local business owner who moved to Bryson City with the intention of giving back to his community. He is a member of the Region A Partnership for Children’s Board of Directors. Mike plays an important role in supporting the activities of Region A Partnership for Children. He is a participant in and generous contributor to family community events in Swain County.
Mike cares about the community in which he lives and works. He researched and identified a great need in Swain County for affordable housing. Mike has provided wonderful affordable rentals in Bryson City to address one of our most critical challenges faced by families – lack of affordable housing.
We are so fortunate to have a concerned forward thinking Board member who is action oriented and making such a positive difference in the community. The recent Smoky Mtn Times article on July 24th, describes the apartments stating, “Mike Drinkwater builds budget-friendly apartments for hardworking area residents.”
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