HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2002-046 Resolution Regarding Smart Start sue.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Orange County Resolution of Support
North Carolina Partnership for Young Children - Smart Start
WHEREAS, Over the past decade, Smart Start, the state's early child care system for children
under six, has been hailed as one of the most innovative and ambitious children's
programs in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Smart Start is being imitated in 10 other states, has won numerous awards and is
now being used as a blueprint for a bill to launch a national Smart Start initiative; and
WHEREAS, The audit issues raised in the May 19, 2002 News and Observer article occurred over
two years ago and are not representative of the situation in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Annual financial audits, performance audits and on-going evaluations by the nation's
leading early childhood evaluator have determined that children are entering school
better prepared because of Smart Start services and state and local partnerships
have improved their administrative functions; and
WHEREAS, Over the last two years, the NC Partnership for Children has:
■ Instituted a formal financial monitoring and technical assistance section;
■ Developed a formal evaluation system that requires local partnerships to
meet statewide minimum standards in financial and program areas; and
■ Implemented penalties when requirements and policies are not met; and
WHEREAS, The News and Observer article further confirms that children enrolled in child care
centers heavily involved in Smart Start programs did better in kindergarten than other
children; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Board of Commissioners recognizes and appreciates the positive
impact that Smart Start activities have had on preparing our local pre-school age
children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
does hereby endorse-and fully support the initiatives of Smart Start and continued funding for the NC
Partnership for Children.
This, the 18th day of June 2002.
gm—Tffacobs, air
Orange C ty Bo f Co issioners