HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-18-2002 - 5a t
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2002
Action Again
Item No. a
SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Smart Start
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Commissioner Steve Halkiotis
Proposed Resolution Sharron Hinton,eat. 2300
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-6501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider approval of a resolution regarding Smart Start, its importance and
effectiveness in Orange County and the need for its continued support.
BACKGROUND: During recent months, the Smart Start program has come under increased
scmfiny and question due to newspaper articles as well as the current budgetary climate at the
state level, The proposed resolution, which is a6ached, details Smart Starts importance and
effectiveness for children under six years of age; the administrative enhancements made by the
NC Partnership for Children to assure increased fiscal and program accountability; and Me
need for its continued support and funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: TM1ere is no financial impact associated with approval of me resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S); The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution
supporting Smart Start and that Me signed resolution be forwarded to Orange County's
legislative delegation, leaders In the North Camlina General Assembly, Governor Mike Easley
and other appropriate state officials, and area newspapers.
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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,Me state's party 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 stales, has won
numerous awards and is now being used as a blueprint for a
bill to launch a national Smart Start Intel and
WHEREAS, The audit issues mired in the May 19, 2002 News and
Observer aNcle occurred overtwo years ago and am not
representative of the situation In Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Annual financial audits, performance audiis and on-going
evaluations by the nation's leading early childhood evaluator
have determined Bret children ere 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 am not met;and
WHEREAS, The News and Observer ships further confirms that children
enrolled In child care comers heavily involved in Smart Stan
programs did better in kindergarten then 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 preschool age
children.
i
l
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS does hereby endorse and fully support the initiaWes of
Smart Stan and continued funding for the NC Partnership for Children.
This,the 18th day of June 2002.
Barry Jacobs,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners