About
Smart Start of Forsyth County
Equity at Smart Start of Forsyth County
We are a public-private partnership corporation dedicated to ensuring that children from birth to age five are fully prepared for success in school and life. We believe that all children, without exception, deserve access to quality and equal education, the opportunity to be happy and healthy, and the chance to reach their full potential. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities to people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, abilities, marital and parental statuses, ages, philosophies, and military or veteran statuses. We strive to instill confidence in the community to promote our mission and vision of providing the best education for all.
History and Funding
Smart Start, a nationally acclaimed early childhood education initiative, was established in 1993 under the visionary leadership of Governor Jim Hunt. It is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that all North Carolina children start school healthy and ready to succeed. In Forsyth County, our local Smart Start partnership funds programs tailored to our unique needs and resources, making a tangible difference in the lives of our children. These local partnerships, operating in all 100 North Carolina counties, are made possible through funding from the North Carolina legislature, corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
Smart Start of Forsyth County, is dedicated to serving children and families throughout our community. We are committed to expanding and enhancing services for preschool-aged children and their families, directly impacting the lives of our neighbors and friends.
The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) oversees all Smart Start programs statewide. Smart Start of Forsyth County is primarily funded by NCPC, NCDHHS, and the city of Winston-Salem, in addition to the funds listed above.
Direct Service Providers
Since our inception in 1994, Smart Start of Forsyth County has collaborated with local community partners. One way that we support our Forsyth County community is by funding programs. We work closely with local agencies to help determine which programs are most needed, and which stakeholders are best suited to successfully administer those programs.
The agencies we fund are known as DPSs (Direct Service Providers). Smart Start of Forsyth County’s DSP partners work diligently to provide our children and families with services. Our programs maximize the latest technology and digital platforms to host meetings and workshops for the safety and convenience of our community.
We appreciate all our DSPs and everything they do for our community. Below is a listing of our collaborating agencies for the 2020-2021 program year.
2023-2024 Impact
Sky's the Limit
Since 1994, Smart Start of Forsyth County has served with unwavering purpose, pride, and professionalism. This impact report illuminates how our leadership initiatives, innovative programs, comprehensive services, and strategic partnerships have transformed early childhood education and strengthened our community throughout 2023-2024.
Our mission centers on creating an equitable early childhood system that promotes access to quality, comprehensive early childhood development and education tailored to the unique needs of Forsyth County families. This year’s achievements demonstrate our continued commitment to building bridges between home and school, honoring the rich socio-cultural contexts of our children and families, and ensuring every child has the foundation they need to succeed.
From our groundbreaking ARPA Pre-K initiative serving 347 students across 28 classrooms to our community partnerships that delivered over 160,000 books to families, this report showcases the measurable impact of collaborative investment in our youngest learners. Discover how we’re not just meeting children where they are, but elevating where they can go—because for every child in Forsyth County, the sky truly is the limit.