What is The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC)?

The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) was established in 1993 to provide statewide oversight of the Smart Start initiative.

The NCPC provides technical assistance and training for local Smart Start partnerships in the areas of program development, administration, organizational development, communication, fiscal management, technology, contracts management and fundraising. The NCPC adheres to a comprehensive accountability plan to ensure programs, services and funds reach the children and families of North Carolina.

Board

The NCPC Board of Directors is made up of members representing state agencies, private business, education, nonprofits, religious organizations, child care providers, parents and members of the General Assembly. Under the leadership of Board Chairman Ashley Thrift, the governing board provides oversight and develops policy for Smart Start programs and services. The board is also responsible for ensuring Smart Start accountability. The board meets four times a year. Please click here for complete list of board members.

Purpose

To ensure that every child in North Carolina arrives at school healthy and ready to succeed.

Vision

Programs and services are collaborative between state and community efforts and within local communities.

Programs and services focus on accessibility and inclusion of children and families of all races, classes and cultures, and all needs.

State and community efforts will build the state and community infrastructure needed to improve child care, make it more accessible and affordable for families, improve child health outcomes and strengthen families.

Proactive, cutting-edge and innovative approaches are utilized in programs and services.

The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., is a national leader in the development of early childhood initiatives

Mission

To provide leadership to achieve the vision of Smart Start.

Guiding Principles

The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., will be accountable to the people of North Carolina for:

Results for young children and families through collaboration and innovation in planning and delivering services;

Giving priority to children at risk for school failure;

Financial and programmatic integrity and accountability;

Direction and support to the local Smart Start partnerships through policies, training, technical assistance and monitoring;

Maximizing resources from all sources that are available to young children, while assuring that resources are not duplicated and are not supplanting already existing resources;

Supporting local initiative in program design to achieve positive outcomes for young children and their families within the framework of established Smart Start guidelines;

Promoting and advocating for diversity in all aspects of Smart Start;

Promoting inclusion of all children with special needs, including developmental, linguistic, cultural, health and social/emotional needs, in all Smart Start programs and services.

Goals

  1. Accountability: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., will provide oversight to assure local Smart Start partnerships operate in an accountable and results-driven manner.
    1. Provide effective programmatic and financial monitoring of each local partnership.
    2. Develop and oversee a performance based incentive program.
    3. Develop an information system to improve the efficiency of the local partnerships to process and report financial and programmatic data
  2. Capacity-Building: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. will provide support to strengthen the overall organizational, financial and programmatic capabilities of the local Smart Start partnerships.
    1. Provide timely needs-based technical assistance to local partnerships on an on-going basis.
    2. Develop and implement a comprehensive training strategy.
    3. Identify and disseminate best or effective practices.
  3. State-Level Systems: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., through collaboration, will lead in the development of a statewide early childhood system for children ages birth to five and their families.
    1. Coordinate statewide advisory groups to address policy barriers, gaps in and duplication of services in each core area.
  4. Public Awareness: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., will educate and mobilize the public to build awareness and support of the importance of early childhood development and education.
    1. Coordinate a statewide public awareness campaign in conjunction with local partnership efforts.
    2. Develop internal and external promotional vehicles that further the Smart Start vision.
  5. Sustainability: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., will advocate for and secure government and private resources to achieve its mission.
    1. Design and implement a development plan.
    2. Build the capacity of local partnerships to secure and leverage resources from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
  6. Operational: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., will support a work environment that is responsive to change, customer service oriented and operates efficiently and effectively, while fostering respect, trust and integrity.
    1. Implement, communicate and maintain effective internal operating policies and procedures.
    2. Recruit, support and retain a highly qualified workforce.
    3. Evaluate and ensure continuous progress towards the organizational goals and performance standards and outcomes.
    4. Promote, model and embody responsible stewardship and efficient use of NCPC assets and resources entrusted to NCPC by taxpayers and private donors.
    5. Develop an information system to collect, analyze and evaluate local partnership financial and programmatic data.
  7. National Leadership: The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., is a national leader in the development of early childhood initiatives.
    1. Develop and implement a menu of services under a National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC).
    2. Provide support and technical assistance to other states and communities in the development of early childhood initiatives.
      c. Provide support to local partnerships through programs developed under NTAC

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