News
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Announces New Executive Director
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is pleased to announce the selection of Nancy Hughes as its new executive director effective July 24, 2017. Nancy has served as an advocate for young children throughout her career. She is also no stranger to Smart Start, serving as...
Bright By Text
Did you know that 85% of a child’s intellect, personality and social skills are developed in the first 3 years of life? Since babies don’t come with an instruction manual, all parents need a little guidance on how to make the most of these critical years for their children.
Want less screen time for kids this summer? Have them host a LemonAID Stand for Good!
For many neighbors in Charlotte, summer brings a time of great need. Groceries are hard to come by and many families in our community rely on resources from local organizations to make it through the summer months.
New report outlines research behind measures that move the needle on third-grade reading
The NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading initiative is building on North Carolina’s history of innovation and success to tackle one of the greatest challenges facing the state: the overwhelming majority of our children, especially those from low-income families, are not...
Belk Foundation Invests in Efforts to Double 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
A grant of $100,000 from The Belk Foundation to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation will dramatically expand the Library’s efforts to address the challenge of third grade reading proficiency through Active Reading training. “Active Reading means reading with...
I Heart Water Initiative
Drinking water is essential to improving one’s health. However, many people instead turn to higher-calorie beverages to quench their thirst. To address this issue, Mecklenburg County Public Health, Charlotte Water and Healthy Weight, Healthy Child are pleased to announce the I Heart Water Initiative.
The Importance of Fruits & Vegetables and Buying Local
Fruits and vegetables benefit kids in many ways, including improved nutrition, decreased obesity risk and better school performance, but most children don’t get the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Summer Water Safety Tips
We know water is everywhere. Whether you’re bathing your baby in the sink or splashing around with your toddler in a pool, water is great fun for kids. But it’s also a place where safety must come first, so here are a few tips for kids who love to get wet.
Online Tool Helps Locate Your Local Park
The Trust for Public Land works to protect the places people care about and to create close-to-home parks-particularly in and near cities, where 80 percent of Americans live…
Gov. Cooper Offers Budget with Common Ground Solutions for NC
Here are Governor Cooper’s budget highlights of Investments in Early Learning….
The Benefits of Positive Parenting
Positive parenting can overcome the effects of poverty on brain development in adolescents, according to a new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Numerous studies on the association of poverty with poor academic and psychosocial...
Reach For The Stars with Farm To Preschool
The North Carolina Farm to Preschool Network (NCFPN) was convened in May 2015 by ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) and NC CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)…
Private Dollars help Children of Mecklenburg County
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is pleased to announce it has received a $300,000 grant from the Vanguard Community Stewardship program. This partnership funds the expansion of existing Smart Start evidence based programs designed to support the healthy development of children and to ensure kindergarten readiness. Specifically the grant expands YMCA’s Parents as Teachers, Reach Out & Read and Smart Start Healthy Families.
FY17-18 Funding Opportunity
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County FY17-18 Funding Opportunity PBIS PLA50 – Child Care Subsidy In collaboration with Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, administer the provision of child care subsidy in the following priority area: At-risk populations participating...
“Carolina Impact” story about Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a program that mails out children a free book each month from birth up until 5 years old. These are high-quality books that are chosen by experts in the education and writing field and are based on the child's age. This...
Parents as Teachers Expands Early Education in West Charlotte
The Y is pleased to announce it has been selected to receive a $124,700 grant from the Vanguard Capital for Kids Program. Secured through the efforts of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, these funds will support the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program to provide 25...
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Each Child. Every Neighborhood.
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County
(704) 377-6588
601 E. 5th Street, Suite 500
Charlotte, NC 28202