Smart Start in Chatham County

Since 1994, we have been Chatham's home to North Carolina's award wining Smart Start initiative for children from birth to 5. Through Smart Start, we fund programs in Chatham County to improve child care, children's health, and family support.

Smart Start at a glance - CORE SERVICES

To provide Smart Start services each local partnership develops a comprehensive plan that targets the greatest needs in their community among three core services: child care (quality, affordability, and availability); health; and family support.

Smart Start legislation mandates how much from each local partnership's allocation should be spent on specific services.

• 70% is to be spent  on child care related services.
• At least 39% of that must be spent on child care subsidies, making child care affordable.
• The remaining 30% can be spent on improving children's health and supporting families. All programs are carefully monitored to make sure they meet their specified goals and spend their money wisely. age, cognitive, fine motor, social and behavioral skills.