News

Meck Pre-K Removes Income Eligibility for Free Program December 2021

By Estephany Escobar | Charlotte Published 4:18 PM ET DEC.

Smart Start Annual Bidders’ Conference | FY22-23 December 2021

Smart Start is accepting program applications for the FY22-23 funding cycle.

Your End-Of-Year Gift Can Help Children Turn Five Ready to Thrive December 2021

Greetings from Smart Start of Mecklenburg County!   I know we all entered 2021, hoping that this year would be much different from 2020.

#GivingTuesday 2021 November 2021

Dear Community Members, Today we would like to invite you to join us in celebrating Giving Tuesday.

The FY21Child Care WAGE$® Report in Mecklenburg County Has Been Published! November 2021

The numbers are in! We are proud to announce that a total of 684 Mecklenburg County child care professionals received bi-annual bonuses through the Child Care WAGE$® Program in FY21.

Smart Start of Mecklenburg Partners with Center for Child & Family Health October 2021

We are proud to announce our partnership with the Center for Child & Family Health (CCFH) to bring a special training opportunity in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to Mecklenburg County clinicians.

The Junior League of Charlotte & Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Partner to Provide Local Families with Diapers October 2021

We are proud to announce our partnership with the Junior League of Charlotte (JLC) for this year's Done in a Day (DIAD) project.

Stabilization Grant Applications for Child Care Programs are Now Open! October 2021

We are excited to share that the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) has announced that the application for child care stabilization grants is now open! All licensed child care programs, including private for- or not-for-profit community-based childcare programs, family child care homes, and faith-based (GS 110) programs are eligible to apply for these grants.

Join Us in Celebration | International Day of Charity August 2021

We invite you to join us in the observation of the International Day of Charity on September 5.

Jake House, CEO, Discusses Innovations for Children with Special Health Care Needs | Spectrum News August 2021

In Mecklenburg County, an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 children under the age of 5 are at increased risk for a chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition that requires care or services beyond that generally required by children.

Prevent and Protect Against COVID-19: The Latest Child Care Related News August 2021

Scientific research shows that preventative measures such as hand washing and wearing cloth coverings over the nose and mouth are effective ways to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities by lowering the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Grant Impact Stories | Innovations in Early Childhood August 2021

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is known for its allocation of state, county, and private funds to local early childhood serving agencies.

Shop for GOOD | July 19-23 July 2021

Shop for GOOD: How You Can Support Local Families with Young Children Make a Gift Imagine the following: having to choose between diapering and feeding your children; not being able to go to work or school because you lack the required number of diapers for your child to attend child care; your child wearing the same diaper from dawn to dusk because of the inability to supply the daily need of six to ten diapers.

Our Year in Review: How You Can Support Our Mission June 2021

Our Year in Review: How You Can Support Our Mission Smart Start is more than a funder of child-serving agencies across Mecklenburg County.

GPS – Water Safety May 2021

Saturday, June 12  | 10am 11am Water delivers a multi-sensory experience! From the feel on our skin to the reflection of light to the classic smell of the ocean or pool.

GPS – Music and Movement May 2021

Tuesdays, June 15 August 10 | 2:30pm 3:00pm 601 E.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Opens Little Libraries in Eleven Charlotte Locations April 2021

Amid the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County has continued to mail children enrolled in the Charlotte area a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book to their house each and every month.

NC Medicaid Process Transitioning to Managed Care April 2021

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced a Medicaid Transformation rollout.

Jake House, CEO, Discusses Ready4K with WTB April 2021

  Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Read Charlotte Announce Ready4K Texting Service Partnership Jake House, CEO of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, is interviewed by Ed Billick and Sharon Thorsland, hosts of WBT's Carolina Focus on March 28, 2021.

Medicaid Managed Care Resources (English & Spanish) April 2021

Health Plans for North Carolina There will be a new way to get Medicaid health care.

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County to Present Findings of Study on Care for Children with Special Health Needs April 2021

In Mecklenburg County, an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 children under the age of 5 are at increased risk for a chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition that requires care or services beyond that generally required by children.

Join us in the Celebration of Week of the Young Child April 2021

Join us April 10-16 for a fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities during the 50th anniversary of Week of the Young Child.

Autism Family Support Group | Your Virtual Village March 2021

JOIN VIRTUALLY EACH THURSDAY | 2-3PM You are invited to the Guiding Parents to Services (GPS) Parent Support Group: Your Virtual Village.

MECK Pre-K Now Taking Provider Applications February 2021

Are you interested in having a MECK Pre-K classroom at your child care center for the 2021-22 school year? This is the fourth year of Mecklenburg County's six-year plan to expand pre-kindergarten to reach all four-year-old children in the County.

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Read Charlotte Announce Ready4K Texting Service Partnership February 2021

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Read Charlotte are excited to announce a partnership around providing a free texting service to more families with children ages 0- 5 in Mecklenburg County.

Governor Proclaims February “Parenting Education Awareness Month” February 2021

Early childhood home visiting and parenting education programs strengthen the relationship between parents and children by increasing parenting skills and building confidence.

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Awards Four New Innovative Grants February 2021

For the first time ever, Smart Start is excited to announce five projects that have been awarded for a total of $118,904; however, one project, Learning Charms, will be implemented in the next fiscal year.

Partnering with MECK Pre-K January 2021

Join us for a virtual meeting with special guests and community partners.