News

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (SSMC) helps children turn five ready to thrive. SSMC is an innovator, collaborator, funder, and leader in early childhood education and services for families in Mecklenburg County. Because 90% of a child's brain development happens in the first five years of life, optimizing healthy birth outcomes and the first 2,000 days is critically important. Smart Start of Mecklenburg County works to give young children the best possible start and a strong foundation so they can grow to be healthy and well-rounded students, employees, and members of society. As the early childhood hub for Mecklenburg County, SSMC advocates for comprehensive and equitable services for all children and families builds capacity for early childhood educators and meets the needs of our community.

With Smart Start funds, SSMC supports evidence-based & evidence-informed programs for children ages prenatal through five years and their families. The partnership is currently requesting program applications for the 2022-2023 funding cycle (July 1, 2022 June 30, 2023). Programs must be evidence-based and/or evidence-informed and address one of the following:

• Child care quality, affordability, or accessibility
• Early intervention
• Family support
• Health and wellness

Organizations or agencies interested in applying for Smart Start funds are invited to attend an optional in-person Bidders' Workshop.

About the Event 

• 9:00am Check-in & Networking
• 9:30am Welcoming Remarks Jake House, CEO, SSMC
• 9:45am Information Session Elizabeth Kabalka, Programs Director, SSMC
• 10:45am Closing Remarks Jennifer Stamp, Chief Strategy Officer, SSMC

Participation is not mandatory, however, attendance at the Bidders' Conference is recommended. Coffee and light bites will be provided.

Additional details about the process and access to the online grant application will be posted on the SSMC website starting on February 1, 2022. Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm on February 28th. Additional technical assistance will be available during the month of February, for applicants with problems or questions related to the grant application and process.

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Kabalka at ekabalka@smartstartofmeck.org.