News
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County & Care Ring Partner to Offer Free Physicals to Eligible Family Child Care Providers
February 2023
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Care Ring are excited to announce a new partnership, offering free physicals to eligible family child care providers through June 30, 2023.
By providing physicals for uninsured family childcare providers, this partnership will support the "workforce behind the workforce" - those who care for our children daily.
According to a West Health and Gallup Study, nearly one-in-five U.S. adults -- 18%, about 46 million people -- report that if they needed access to quality healthcare today, they would be unable to pay for it.
Early care and education (ECE) workers have lower incomes on average and often lack access to benefits commonly received by teachers in the K-12 system and post-secondary schools.
The partnership between Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Care Ring supports Mecklenburg County's early education workforce by empowering individuals with limited resources to establish and maintain good health.
A stable early education workforce is essential to economic recovery, child learning and development, and overall family well-being. However, on average, members of this workforce have lower incomes and lack access to benefits commonly received by teachers in the K-12 system and post-secondary schools.
"This new meaningful initiative is affording Care Ring an opportunity to deepen its relationship with Smart Start, a historical and trusted funding partner, in a new and different way," states Care Ring Executive Director Tchernavia Montgomery. "Access to care is at the heart of our organization's mission and vision, thus, this strategic extension of service is incredibly aligned with who and why we seek to serve. We are thrilled to launch this collaborative effort in hopes of bringing care to caregivers in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community."
"We are taking this unique step with Care Ring because family childcare providers are some of the most overlooked people and organizations in our community," explains Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Chief Executive Officer Jake House. "They provide high-quality, non-traditional care for families. Most work long hours and do not have the time or financial resources to ensure they take care of themselves first and foremost. Care Ring's high-quality, flexible services are exactly what is needed for this amazing group of people."