Governor Roy Cooper proclaims September as Smart Start Month. This proclamation acknowledges the Smart Start Network’s commitment for over thirty years to ensuring all North Carolina’s young children enter school healthy and prepared for success. FGV Smart Start, Inc. has been a proud member of the Smart Start Network since 1997. 

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) guides and facilitates the Smart Start Network, supporting the work of Local Partnerships and connecting them to the statewide early childhood system.  Smart Start Local Partnerships work to 1) increase access to and enhance quality of early care and education; 2) collaborate with families to reach their goals through family support and education, engagement, and referrals; and 3) improve child health and development for children birth-to-five.

FGV Smart Start, Inc. will recognize Smart Start Month by spotlighting child care centers, families, and programs.  Our programs will be showcased on Saturday, September 21 from 1 pm until 2 pm at our 15^th Annual Ducky Derby Event to be held at the corner of Garnett and Breckenridge Streets in Henderson.  Funds from this event will go right back into Franklin, Granville, and Vance Counties to support young children.  Thanks to the financial generosity of Granville Health Systems, Advance Pest Control, ColeBrooke Custom Homes, Duke Energy, Fred’s Towing, Charles Boyd Chevrolet, Dorsey Tractor and Landscaping, Kilian Engineering, NC Pediatrics, Margier White with State Farm, and Wester Insurance.  The event would not be possible without the support of Franklin, Granville, and Vance Counties, City of Henderson Police and Fire Department, Chick-Fil-A, Sheetz, Greystone Concrete and our local newspapers, radio stations, child care centers, staff, and board members.  

The first five years of life are a critical window of development, shaping a child’s brain architecture and building the foundation for future cognitive, social, emotional, behavioral, and health outcomes. Through Smart Start’s comprehensive approach, our state’s youngest and those that care for them can receive the support they need to thrive. 

Investments in high-quality early childhood initiatives like Smart Start can yield substantial long-term benefits for children, families, and society through increased educational attainment, higher earnings, reduced crime, and better health outcomes. 

FGV Smart Start, Inc. is excited to offer high quality, evidenced-based, free programs such as Kindergarten Transitions, NC Pre K, Adolescent Parenting, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Fatherhood, Parents as Teachers, as well as, support for local child care centers and parents.  Celebrating Smart Start Month, FGV Smart Start has recently added a family resource center in Franklinton. There are also resource centers in Oxford and Henderson. 

“Our future will be as strong as we make it through developing the youngest among us to be prosperous citizens and leaders of tomorrow.” Dr. Tony Cozart, Executive Director.  For additional information about our programs and services, please contact Dr. Linda Frederickson, Early Childhood Systems Director at lfrederickson@fgvsmartstart.org