The History of Smart Start and
The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.
Smart Start Legislation
Smart Start Funding
Evolution of NC's Early Care & Education System
TIMELINE
1993
Smart Start’s authorizing legislation is ratified on July 9 and receives $20 million appropriation
The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. is created; the newly created N.C. Division of Child Development develops and implements Smart Start
Gov. Hunt announces selection of 12 “pioneer” partnerships representing 18 counties
1994
Smart Start appropriation grows to $47 million; 12 additional partnerships are named from 13 counties
1995
Smart Start appropriation increased to $58 million; additional 11 counties are selected
Smart Start services available in 43 counties
1996
Independent performance audit calls Smart Start a credible program that should be expanded
Smart Start appropriation now $67 million
12 additional partnerships added
Legislation passes requiring 30 percent of Smart Start funds be used for child care subsidies
N.C. Partnership for the Childrens takes over administration of Smart Start
1997
Appropriation grows to $97 million, including planning funds for the remaining 45 counties without Smart Start
1998
Appropriation grows to $143 million
Smart Start wins the Innovations in American Government award from Harvard University and Ford Foundation
1999
Smart Start wins national award from the Council of State Governments
Smart Start appropriation grows to $217 million
2000
General Assembly appropriates $231 million to Smart Start, an all-time high;
Smart Start tops more than $100 million in combined private support since 1995
Working Mother magazine ranks NC‘s Smart Start as one of nation’s top child care initiatives
2002
National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center established
Smart Start funding decreases to $220 million
Performance Based Incentive System is created to evaluate partnerships on statewide standards
Smart Start funding reduced to $198 million
Hundreds of child advocates attend first “Keep the Promise to North Carolina’s Young Children” rally at the NC Legislature, lawmakers presented with petitions with more than 10,000 signatures supporting Smart Start
2003
Study by FPG Institute finds that Smart Start is achieving its goal, children are better prepared for school
Performance Audit of Smart Start shows financial compliance
Smart Start private support tops $200 million since 1995
14 states use Smart Start as the model for early education programs
2004
Poll finds that 81% of North Carolinians favor Smart Start
More than half of N.C. children enrolled in child care are in the highest quality programs
2006
Smart Start receives first funding increase from the General Assembly in 5 years. Funding is increased to $203.6 million.
Smart Start receives $5 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation