Smart Start Of Forsyth County

TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IN RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

NCPREK (2348):THE NC PRE-K PROGRAM IS A HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAM THAT SERVES AT RISK CHILDREN, IN FORSYTH COUNTY, TO ENSURE THEY ARE SCHOOL READY UPON ENTERING INTO KINDERGARTEN. THE NC PRE-K PROGRAM SERVED 805 FOUR-YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HEAD START PROGRAM, AND PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTERS (FOR PROFIT AND NOT FOR PROFIT).

DUAL SUBSIDY (2341): FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID ON A DIRECT PER CHILD BASIS FOR SUBSIDY FOR FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) OR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). DATA WILL BE REPORTED INTO THE STATE LEVEL SMART START REPORTING SYSTEM (SSRS) ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THIS ACTIVITY MAY INCLUDE SUBSIDY RATE ENHANCEMENTS. REFUGEE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMELESSNESS, CUSTODY ISSUES, SEPARATION OR DIVORCE, DEATH OR ILLNESS OF A CARE GIVER, INCARCERATION, MEDICAL ISSUES ARE SPECIALIZED TARGET POPULATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID ON A DIRECT PER CHILD BASIS FOR SUBSIDY FOR FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) OR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). DATA WILL BE REPORTED INTO THE STATE LEVEL SMART START REPORTING SYSTEM (SSRS) ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

TEACHING AND LEARNING SERVICES (3125): CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER (CCRC) WILL OFFER THE STARS AND BEYOND PROGRAM TO FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES IN FORSYTH COUNTY LICENSED TO SERVE CHILDREN BIRTH TO FIVE TO IMPROVE QUALITY OR INCREASE TO OR MAINTAIN A FOUR OR FIVE STAR-RATED LICENSE. FACILITIES MUST BE WILLING TO ENROLL SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN. SERVICES MAY INCLUDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COACHING, CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CEU) TRAINING(S), AND UNOFFICIAL FAMILY CHILD CARE ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALE (FCCERS-R) ASSESSMENTS TO DEVELOP CUSTOMIZED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLANS. FCCHS, UP FOR RE-LICENSURE, MAY RECEIVE A GRANT TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS IDENTIFIED THROUGH AN UNOFFICIAL FCCERS-R ASSESSMENT IF FUNDS PERMIT. COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (COP) MAY BE FACILITATED AT THE CCRC OFFICE TO DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING AND BUILD SKILLS FOR CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION. SMALL INCENTIVES MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COP. STAFF POSITIONS, MEETINGS, MEALS FOR COPS AND CEU TRAININGS, AND SERVICE RELATED MATERIALS MAY BE SUPPORTED BY THIS ACTIVITY. SMART START OF FORSYTH COUNTY WILL PROVIDE TEACHING AND LEARNING SERVICES (TLS) TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS IN CENTERS SERVING CHILDREN BIRTH TO FIVE IN FORSYTH COUNTY TO (1) INCREASE LICENSURE STATUS OF ELIGIBLE GS 110-106, TEMPORARY, ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR STAR CENTERS; (2) MAINTAIN LICENSURE STATUS OF FIVE STAR CENTERS; (3) OFFER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR ADMINISTRATORS IN CENTERS TO IMPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAM AND BUSINESS PRACTICES. ELIGIBLE CENTERS MUST BE WILLING TO ENROLL SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN. TEACHING AND LEARNING SERVICES WILL INCLUDE: CURRICULUM AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT, COACHING, WORKSHOPS, ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE AND CLASSROOM ASSESSMENTS. NON-CASH INCENTIVES WILL BE ISSUED TO CENTERS MEETING REQUIRED CRITERIA TO INCREASE THEIR STAR RATINGS. CASH INCENTIVES AND EDUCATION BONUSES WILL BE PAID TO ELIGIBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND CENTERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF 5-STARS