Smart Start

09/03/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? The Smart Start Network is a statewide partnership serving all 100 North Carolina counties through 75 local partnerships. Together, we work to ensure that children, families, and early childhood professionals have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) serves as the backbone organization for the Smart Start Network, providing statewide leadership, coordination, and support to strengthen early childhood systems and expand opportunities for young children and families across North Carolina.

In FY 2024-25, Local Partnerships invested more than $150 million in North Carolina communities through Smart Start-funded programs and services.

From supporting families and expanding early literacy opportunities to improving child care quality and strengthening the early childhood workforce, Smart Start is helping build a stronger future for North Carolina's youngest children.


Find Your Local Partnership today: www.smartstart.org/in-your-community

09/02/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁?
Smart Start is a network of 75 Local Partnerships serving all 100 counties in North Carolina. As a Network, we are committed to ensuring every child 0-5 has what they need to thrive.
We focus on whole-child support, including:
🍎Early Care & Education
👪Family Support and Literacy
💪Child, Family, and Community Health

Learn more about our partnership’s mission and programs at www.smartstart.org/in-your-community/

09/01/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀!
We are a network of 75 Local Partnerships serving all 100 counties.

We provide whole-child support from birth-to-five. We invest in early care and education, family support, and healthy families and communities.

By supporting young children and their families, we are building a stronger, healthier future for North Carolina.

Celebrate with us and learn how is making a difference in your community! Learn more: https://www.smartstart.org/in-your-community/

08/30/2026

We’ve been thinking a lot about Dolly this week, and it had us looking back at one very special night in North Carolina.

In 2019, the Smart Start Network celebrated 25 years of working together to help children and families across our state.

But we were also celebrating something else pretty special: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library had made its way to every county and every ZIP code in North Carolina. And because North Carolina was the second state in the country to bring DPIL statewide (right after her home state of Tennessee!), we got to celebrate with Dolly herself.

She spent time with our partners, funders, and legislators who helped make statewide DPIL funding possible, joined us for interviews, and took the stage to read a poem. And then, Dolly being Dolly, surprised us all by singing “Jolene.”

We’re sharing a few photos from that unforgettable night because we think Dolly would agree: a good celebration is worth remembering.

Dolly had a dream—to put books in the hands of children and help them “dream more, learn more, care more and be more.” We are lucky enough to help make that dream a reality for children across North Carolina, and we want to keep it going.

If Dolly’s dream is one you believe in, consider making a gift to support Imagination Library in North Carolina. Every donation helps put more books into the hands of North Carolina children.

Let’s celebrate Dolly by helping her dream live on.

Learn more about DPIL here- https://www.smartstart.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library/

Donate here- https://www.smartstart.org/donate-now/

Gala Pictures: https://SmartStart25thAnniversaryGala.pixieset.com/smartstart25thanniversarygala/

08/28/2026

Big news! For the third year in a row, Governor Josh Stein will officially recognize September as Smart Start Month in North Carolina.

For more than 30 years, Smart Start has helped children, families, and communities thrive across all 100 North Carolina counties. Throughout September, we'll be celebrating the impact of the Smart Start Network and sharing stories, resources, and opportunities to connect with the mission.

Stay tuned. September is almost here!

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton believed every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to discover the joy of reading.

Because of that vision, more than 240,000 North Carolina children receive free books each month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Since the program expanded statewide in 2017 through a partnership between the Smart Start Network and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, nearly 25 million books have been mailed to children and families across North Carolina.

Her legacy will continue helping children learn, grow, and thrive for generations to come.

Read how the Smart Start Network is honoring Dolly's life and literacy legacy: www.smartstart.org/remembering-dolly-parton/

If you'd like to honor Dolly's legacy, please consider supporting Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in your community. https://www.smartstart.org/donate-now/

08/25/2026

The Smart Start Network is deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. Her belief that every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to develop a love of reading transformed the lives of countless children and families.

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the Smart Start Network is honored to help bring free books and the joy of reading to children across North Carolina—helping families build connections, spark curiosity, and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

We will continue carrying forward her vision and remain committed to helping children build strong foundations for lifelong success. Her legacy will live on every time a child opens a book and discovers the joy of reading.

08/25/2026

September is Smart Start Month, and we're proud to celebrate for the third year!

Smart Start is here for North Carolina's youngest children, helping families and communities give every child birth to age 5 the best possible start in life.

Learn more about our impact and join the celebration!

Website Caption: September is Smart Start Month in North Carolina, recognizing more than 30 years of work supporting young children and families across the state. The Smart Start Network is a natio…

08/17/2026

The Smart Start Connection- August 2026 -

As we look ahead to Smart Start Month this September, I’m reminded of the incredible impact that is possible when communities invest in young children and families.