Smart Start of Mecklenburg County
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We mobilize resources, forge partnerships, and support families to improve early childhood health, e
The Mecklenburg Partnership for Children, better known as Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, is a private, nonprofit partnership that funds local programs for children ages birth to five and their families.
π£οΈ βFrom the beginning, the vision was that weβd get kids ready for school, but it had to be from a comprehensive, whole child approach,β President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) Amy Cubbage.
π€ We appreciate Amy and everyone at NCPC for helping Smart Start of Mecklenburg County celebrate its 30th Anniversary and for the joint effort and collaboration to ensure all children turn five happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
For almost 7οΈβ£ years, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has gifted books every month to children from birth to their fifth birthday in Mecklenburg County.
βThe excitement of getting the new book in the mail and then reading it over and over,β said one Imagination Library parent on what getting a new book every month means to their little Imagineer.
Enrolling is π, so share the gift of new books with an eligible child in your life this holiday season π https://bit.ly/35JbRhD
12/05/2023
Did you know itβs National Communicate with your Kids Day? The perfect day to remind you of The Basics and, specifically, βTalk, Sing and Point.β Babies learn language from the very beginning, weβre talking before theyβre born! So, connect with them using eye contact and talk to them in calm, clear voice as you navigate your day together.
Learn more about The Basics: https://bit.ly/3udTrPg
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
12/04/2023
π° Uninsured? You may now qualify for Medicaid health coverage.
In a monumental step towards ensuring better healthcare coverage, the expansion will extend to a larger population, providing vital services to those who may have previously faced barriers to access.
For more information: https://bit.ly/3R9XhUc
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
2023-12 News | Uninsured? You May Now Qualify for Medicaid Health Coverage. We are delighted to inform you that North Carolina recently expanded its Medicaid program, a monumental step towards ensuring better healthcare coverage for our fellow citizens. This expansion will extend coverage to a larger population, providing ...
12/02/2023
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Today we celebrate Special Education Day, commemorating the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law on this day in 1975.
Guiding Parents to Services (GPS) reminds you to . Always ask your doctor about any developmental concerns you may have at well visits. Track your childβs development with a π milestone tracker from the CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
12/01/2023
We are grateful to all the children and families we saw at events in November, and for quality time spent as an organization (family) during our All-Staff Escape Room outing and Friendsgiving pot-luck lunch!
Oh, and of course we are grateful for our new CEO Mike Blackwelder and his well-earned recognition as an Outstanding Fundraising Executive by AFP!
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For more than a decade, Twirl to the World Foundation has collected donated toys for Smart Start of Mecklenburg County. The toys focus on early brain development and literacy, and are shared by internal programs to children and families during workshops and events throughout our community.
We are extremely grateful for Twirlβs dedication to Smart Start and to the children of Mecklenburg County. True ambassadors of βmaking sure every child turns five ready to thrive.β
11/29/2023
Thank you to all who donated to Smart Start of Mecklenburg County on (or throughout our entire 30th Anniversary Celebration)! Your support allows us to support the 85,000 prenatal to five children in our community.
It takes all of us to ensure every child in Mecklenburg County turns five ready to thrive. π»ππππ πππ.
11/28/2023
Giving Tuesday is here! On this national day of giving, we hope you consider donating to Smart Start of Mecklenburg County. Gifts to SSMC today help fund vital programs that aid and educate children aged prenatal to five and their families to ensure the children in our community begin school happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
Give a gift and join us in our vision that every child in Meck County turns five ready to thrive. https://bit.ly/3FY6Boy
π¨ Tomorrow is ! At Smart Start of Mecklenburg County we strive to impact families in every facet of early childhood development including; health, family support, literacy, and early care and education. With your support, we will continue to assist Meck Countyβs youngest residents and ensure they get begin school happy, healthy and ready to succeed. Thank you for your continued support! https://bit.ly/3FY6Boy
11/24/2023
The countdown rolls on as we hit 4οΈβ£ days to go! Smart Start of Mecklenburg County relies on funding from individuals, businesses and foundations to drive and expand our partners and programs to reach as many prenatal to birth children and their families in our communities. Thank you for considering making a gift to SSMC on and helping support our vision that every child turns five ready to thrive. https://bit.ly/3FY6Boy
11/23/2023
π―ππππ π»πππππππππππ π¦π₯§π₯§ Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is extremely thankful to all of our partners, programs, funders, and families that have helped us celebrate our 30th Anniversary this year!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with family and loved ones.
11/21/2023
We are a week out from Giving Tuesday! Smart Start of Mecklenburg County has aspired to lead the way for the prenatal to five community and envisioned that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
a global day of unity, is the perfect time to join our mission. We hope you consider joining us by making a gift next week. https://bit.ly/3FY6Boy
11/19/2023
The MECK Pre-K Bilingual Teacher Evaluator will conduct classroom observations and work with lead teachers to ensure all teaching standards are being met in the classroom. Join our team to help ensure every child in Mecklenburg County turns five ready to thrive.
For more job information, requisites and application: https://ascendnps.isolvedhire.com/jobs/?keywords=smart+start
11/17/2023
π―ππππ π°ππππππππππππ πΊπππ
ππππ π«ππ! MECK Pre-K is a high-quality free pre-k education available to πππ four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. Learn more about MECK Pre-K and how to apply at https://meckprek.org/
This content supports our vision that all children in Meck County head to kindergarten happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
Sandy Weathersbee, Owner of Providence Preparatory School, has been an incredible advocate for young children, and a friend of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County for nearly a decade. A true philanthropic visionary, Sandyβs values match SSMCβs hand in hand, and our work could not be done without the support from people like him and his family.
Thank you to Sandy, Providence Preparatory School, and all of our supporters over the last 30 Years for your contributions in our shared vision that all children in Meck County turn five happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
11/15/2023
π»πππ ππππ ππ! Please join us Monday, Nov. 20 for a Kendra Scott Gives Back Party π₯³ at the South Park Mall location from 6-8pm! Enjoy light bites and champagne as you get ahead of your holiday shopping. 20% of proceeds during the two-hour block will be donated to Smart Start of Mecklenburg County!
π
Monday, Nov. 20
β° 6-8pm
π 4400 Sharon Rd. Suite 310
Charlotte, 28211
11/14/2023
National Young Readers Week strives to encourage the love of reading among the countryβs youth and raise awareness about the importance of early literacy.
To help, here are some reading tips, broken out by age-specific for you to use with your child to get the most out of storytime. So, pick out your favorites, curl up, and get reading! https://bit.ly/3kg1o1M
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
11/13/2023
World Kindness Day reminds us to make kindness the norm, and to highlight and encourage good deeds in your community. Instilling kindness in your young children is a valuable lesson that can live and grow with them their whole lives. So start displaying kindness early and often. Here are 7οΈβ£ things you can do today, and add to your routine, to spread kindness. Itβs infectious!
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
11/12/2023
We are thankful for Mikeβs leadership, and look forward to honoring him on November 16 for ! π₯³
He started his nonprofit career after volunteering for a local organization; and has been making an impact throughout the community ever since! Congratulations to Mike Balckwedler, CEO of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and proud AFP Charlotte Member. We're excited to honor him on November 16 for ! π₯³
βSmart Start has given me more than I could have given Smart Start over the last six years,β MaryBeth Simon, past SSMC Board Chair. π€ The feeling is mutual, MaryBeth.
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is thankful for all the board members, supporters, and children and families that have utilized our resources, partners, and programs over the past 30 years.
11/08/2023
Parents as Teachers (PAT) provides in-home visits with trained Parent Educators to help caregivers connect with their childβs early development and build a foundation for future academic success.
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is proud to partner with the YMCA and Communities In Schools-Charlotte, Safe Journey Parents as Teachers to provide PAT to families in our community.
For more information on Parents as Teachers from CIS and Safe Journey, visit our page: https://ow.ly/A2Ys50Q53ya
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
Joanette Freeman has served on the board of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County for five years, including a term as Board Chair! She has seen many positive changes throughout her tenure, and we are thrilled with her and our board members' continued support of our vision that all children turn five happy, healthy, and ready to succeed.
11/06/2023
Happy Childrenβs Book Week! Since 2017, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has sent π books to children in Mecklenburg County, aged birth to five years old, every month. Thousands of little Imagineers have enjoyed spending time with Llama Llama, getting into mischief with Goodnight Gorilla, learning to trust in yourself with The Little Engine That Could, and so many more characters. Enroll your child today! https://bit.ly/3pXzkSO
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
Since 2005, the Black Child Development Institute- Charlotte affiliate has implemented culturally relevant and research-based programs that promote literacy, health and parent engagement, strengthening their mission to improve and advance the quality of life for Black and Brown children and families.
BCDI-Charlotte President Dr. Devonya Govan-Hunt has been an incredible ally and friend of Smart Start of Mecklenburg and we canβt thank her and her team enough for our living out our joint vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
11/04/2023
Healthy Families - Healthy Futures is back in town for a π cooking workshop for childcare providers on Saturday, Nov. 11! Participants will be cooking up some healthy holiday-time dishes, and there will be a drawing for a $50 Food Lion gift card to all in attendance. You must register to attend, so donβt delay: https://ow.ly/XuLP50Q3x23
π
Saturday, Nov. 11
π St. Andrewβs United Methodist Church, 1901 Archdale Dr., Charlotte
β° 10am-Noon
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
11/02/2023
Head Uptown this Saturday for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Epic Fest! The free literary festival, with activities and giveaways for children of all ages, connects children and families with books and the authors who wrote them.
Enjoy face painting, reading activities, photo booth, and much more!
For more info: https://www.cmlibrary.org/epicfest
π ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte
β° 10am-3pm
EpicFest Home Epicfest EpicFest Book lovers of all ages are invited to EpicFest EpicFest is an extraordinary, free literary festival that joyfully connects children, teens and families with books and the people who write them through activities that encourage a love of reading and learning. In its sixth year...
π± βChildren are the seed of the world. So, once we plant the seed in a proper way, and educate our children, and give them that opportunity to grow β¦ it is important because they are our future generation.
Future leaders,β long time Smart Start of Mecklenburg team-member Rahel Gashaw.
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County continues to celebrate its 30th Anniversary of helping all children in the county turn five ready to thrive.
10/31/2023
Happy Halloween π»π
Halloween is the perfect night to implement The Basics! Consider π»πππ, πΊπππ πππ
π·ππππ while you trick-or-treat throughout your neighborhood tonight. Be sure to name all the costumes and decorations they point to, and respond to all their facial expressions. Talking, singing and pointing gives your child clues to what you are saying.
For more tips on how to maximize your childβs development with The Basics: https://thebasics-mecklenburg.org/
10/30/2023
Happy October 30th! π₯³ Your monthly reminder that Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is continuing to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Please consider supporting our vision that all children enter kindergarten happy, healthy and ready to succeed by donating $30 on the 30th! https://bit.ly/454ee8M
10/29/2023
Did you see us?! ππΈ SSMC team members spent October at Trunk or Treats, attending conferences and events, and out in the community spreading the word and offering resources to support our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive!
The Basics are five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles important for healthy brain development for children birth to five. 80% of brain growth happens in the first three years of life, and every child, from any background can benefit from using these fun and simple learning experiences.
Thank you to Stacy for being a tremendous ambassador for The Basics in Mecklenburg County.
10/18/2023
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and MECK Pre-K (MPK) are seeking candidates for the position of Bilingual Teacher Evaluator. Work with MPK lead teachers to set a high standard of excellent practices by utilizing the NC Teacher Evaluation System to improve classroom instruction.
If you or someone you know wants to join our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive, consider applying: https://ascendnps.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1005707
10/17/2023
The third week of October marks a week of awareness, education and support for those living with invisible disabilities. One in four Americans report living with an invisible disability that can range from asthma, to autism, to multiple forms of mental illness.
The Invisible Disability Associationβs (IDA) motto for βWe can show the world our visible courage!β
Check out ways you can support this week, including educating yourself on invisible disabilities: https://ow.ly/S37C50PXITl
This content supports our vision that children in Mecklenburg County turn five happy, healthy and ready to succeed.
In July, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (SSMC) transitioned from one great boss to another, as Mike Blackwelder switched offices and assumed CEO duties.
βAt the end of the day the works thatβs being done. The impact itβs made on the kids and the families, thatβs most important,β Mike Blackwelder, SSMC CEO.
From everyone in the organization and the prenatal to five aged community and their families in Charlotte, thank you, Mike, for driving our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
10/14/2023
"Me han ayudado a sentir mas seguro que estoy haciendo bien mi rol de mami ([The texts] have helped me feel more confident that I am doing my role as mommy well.)"
ParentPowered, creator of Ready4K sends weekly texts with facts and tips in [5] languages, including Spanish, to help your childβs healthy brain development! Enrolling is as easy as texting SSMC to 70138, (EnvΓe SSMC al 70138 para inscribirse!)
This content supports our vision that all children turn five ready to thrive.
10/13/2023
Domestic Violence Awareness Month With Safe Alliance - WCCB Charlotte's CW CHARLOTTE β Every October, the United States recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Jared Fulker is a detective with the special victims division at CMPD. Plenty of different things are under the umbrella of domestic violence. βThereβs a lot of different things, obviously thereβs the ...
10/13/2023
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is heading back out to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, this time making a stop during the Noda Brewery Crawl at Free Range Brewing next Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-8pm. Come toast to 30 Years of SSMC, grab a pint (or two), and support a great local partner.
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
10/12/2023
π±πππ πππ ππππ! Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and MECK Pre-K are seeking candidates for the position of Bilingual Teacher Evaluator. Work with MPK lead teachers to set a high standard of excellent practices by utilizing the NC Teacher Evaluation System to improve classroom instruction. If this position appeals to you, or you know a potential candidate, please consider applying here: https://ow.ly/GOl350PV9am
This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.
Smart Start - MECK Pre-K Bilingual Teacher Evaluator - Charlotte, NC General Information Organization Overview Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (Smart Start or SSMC) is a Charlotte-based non-profit that funds local programs for children ages birth to five and their families. The organization is a catalyst for improving the lives of the 85,000+ young children in our....
10/11/2023
Today marks an important day, International Day of the Girl Child. Since 2011, Oct. 11 has served as a day to recognize girlsβ rights and the challenges they face around the worldwide.
To learn more on the challenges girls face worldwide and what is being done to address and empower girlsβ rights β‘οΈ (https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day).
This content supports our vision that πππ children turn five happy, healthy, and ready to succeed.
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601 E 5th Street
Charlotte, NC
28202
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
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