Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smart Start?

Smart Start is North Carolina's nationally-recognized initiative to ensure all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start helps working parents pay for child care, improves the quality of child care and provides health and family support services in every North Carolina county.

What is the Region A Partnership for Children?

The Region A Partnership for Children was formed in the spring of 1994 to oversee the Smart Start initiative in the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina. The Partnership grew out of the regional grassroots project, Our Children: Today and Tomorrow, which was conducted by the Region A Child & Youth Planning Council. Our Children: Today and Tomorrow identified the most critical needs of children and families in Region A and began mobilizing communities to take action on those needs. The first step was to apply as a seven county regional partnership for a Smart Start grant, which we received.

What is Region A?

Region A consists of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties as well as the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee Indian Reservation).

What is the difference between Smart Start and Head Start?

Head Start is a federally-funded child care center that targets low-income 3 and 4 year olds. Smart Start is funded through state and private funds and provides a variety of services for children less than 6 years of age and their families. Smart Start is not a child care center.

Does the Partnership provide child care?

No. However, the Partnership does keep a current list of all licensed centers and homes throughout the region. You may also contact the Resource and Referral office at Southwestern Child Development Commission for assistance in finding childcare for your child. Their number is 828-586-5561.

Where does the Partnership's funding come from?

Our funding comes from state, federal, foundation, and corporate grants as well as from your donations. We are careful neither to duplicate nor to supplant existing services but rather to cover some of the gaps which currently exist in meeting the needs of children and families.

If you have additional questions you would like to see added to this page, please let us know.