Smart Start Month: Building a Stronger North Carolina, One Child at a Time

Janice Edgerton, Executive Director

Every child in North Carolina deserves a strong start, and that takes investment, partnership, and a commitment to supporting children and families during the most important years of development.

This September, North Carolina will celebrate its third annual Smart Start Month. Governor Josh Stein's proclamation continues a statewide recognition that began in 2024 and reaffirms North Carolina's commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity for a strong start in life.

The first five years of life are a critical window of development, shaping a child's learning, health, and well-being for years to come. That's why Region A Partnership for Children and the entire Smart Start Network work alongside families, early childhood educators, health providers, and community partners to ensure young children have the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Smart Start is a statewide network of 75 local nonprofit partnerships serving all 100 North Carolina counties. Together, we work to strengthen early care and education, support families, promote child health and development, and build coordinated systems of support that help children reach their full potential.

Here in Region A, we help connect families with resources and programs that support young children and the adults who care for them, including Family Support Network, Parents as Teachers, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and NC Pre-K. We also support early childhood educators through initiatives such as training and consultation for Early Care and Education Professionals and WAGE$ Salary Supplements helping to strengthen the workforce that supports our youngest learners.

Smart Start Month is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we've made together and recognize the families, educators, caregivers, community leaders, and partners who make this work possible every day. It is also a reminder that investing in children early benefits all of us, creating stronger schools, stronger communities, and a stronger North Carolina for generations to come.

We invite community members to explore our website to learn more about the resources available through RAPC and to join us in celebrating Smart Start Month throughout September.