Programs

This project helps licensed child care programs increase the level of star rated licensure and the level of provider education. Professional Development services are also available for facilities that complete an Educational Facility Plan. Teachers in these facilities who are attending school may be eligible for Educational

Awards. 

Raising A Reader helps child care providers work with families to build and maintain the home-based language and literacy experiences young children need for later school success. By rotating high-quality children’s literature into homes each week, Raising A Reader’s research-based program helps children and parents

develop the habit of “book cuddling.” Families also build connections to libraries that result in lasting family literacy habits and improved outcomes for children. 

Reach Out & Read prepares America’s youngest children to succeed by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourages families to read together. At each well-child visit, children between the age of six months and five years receive brand new, age and developmentally appropriate books to keep and their parents receive guidance on the importance of reading aloud to their children. 

This activity provides early identification of special needs and enhances the provision of early intervention services to ensure positive outcomes for all children ages birth to five in child care settings. 

For assistance, call 910-618-9260.

This scholarship program provides assistance with the cost of child care to qualified parents with children ages birth to five. 

For assistance, call 910-642-3178.

Expectant mothers and children ages

birth to five who are not eligible for Medicaid reimbursable transportation can be transported to and from medical appointments. 

For assistance, call Joy Jacobs at 910-642-7201

This project provides child care professionals with education-based salary supplements and addresses teacher turnover and increased teacher educational levels. 

For assistance, call 919-967-3272.

The Early Learning Facility provides child development resources which parents and providers can use to enhance the early care and education of young children. A variety of children’s books, videos, topic resource books, resource kits and toys, a computer with Internet access and other resources are available to library members at a nominal fee. Training and workshops are offered as well as consumer materials in Spanish. 

For assistance, call 910-642-8226.

To check out materials online click here.

Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are working together to get books into the hands of North Carolina’s youngest children. This program is made possible through funding appropriated by the North Carolina Legislature.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a 60 volume set of books that will be offered FREE of charge to children living in Columbus County. Each month, children ages birth to five, who are registered for the program will receive a brand new book mailed directly to their homes.

All preschool-aged children, ages birth to five, who are residents of Columbus County are eligible to participate. Parents or guardians must register their children in order for them to participate.

​Register online at:

www.imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/NCPCCOLUMBUS/​

Questions about registering for the Imagination Library should be directed to the Smart Start Early Learning Facility (ELF), 910-212-6352

Ready & Resilient Families & Communities is a  new project funded by Kate B. Reynolds Charitable  Trust. This project is looking for families who reside  in Columbus County and have children aged 0-8. We  connect families to various community resources and  offer parent training sessions. Parent training sessions will be held at the Partnership for Children, 109  W. Main St. in Whiteville and virtually at 6 p.m. on a  biweekly or monthly basis. Parents will become  more confident, and the entire family will benefit,  heal, and thrive. Training topics include awareness  and education on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), Resiliency, and child abuse prevention. Incentives and/or gift cards will be provided following  each training. To register, contact Latoya Beatty at  910-499-4546 Latoya.beatty@columbussmartstart.org. 

The Family Engagement and Leadership Coalition (FELC) is a project funded by North Carolina Partnership for Children. FELC, Children First Columbus, is a group of family leaders and stakeholders who are working together to bring the family leader’s stories to light so that relationships, services, and policies can be improved upon and/or created to meet the needs of families with children ages birth to 5-years old. 

Family partnerships create improved system-, program-, family-, and child-level outcomes across early childhood sectors. Early childhood sectors include local and state government agencies and Legislators, non-profit and private community agencies, faith-based and advocacy agencies, researchers and technical assistance providers, and higher education community college and universities.

To fully implement the North Carolina Early Childhood Family Engagement and Leadership Framework into Columbus County, it is our hope that family leaders and stakeholders all across our county will volunteer to become a member of our coalition and help develop plans, community support and resources for your community. For more information please call Lisa Clewis, Family Engagement and Leadership Coordinator at 910-212-4689 or email lisa.clewis@columbussmartstart.org; or contact Sherry Baldwin, Family Engagement and Leadership Specialist at 910-642-8226 Ext. 109, or email sherry.baldwin@columbussmartstart.org. 

The Columbus County Partnership for Children  (CCPC) has received funding to support Ready &  Resilient Children, a school readiness and parenting  education project to support children who may be at  risk of not being prepared for kindergarten and  school success. The generosity of the North Carolina Community Foundation, Healing Communities  Fund, which provided $45,000 and United Way of  the Cape Fear Area, which provided $8,000, has  made it possible for families of Columbus County  to take part in a unique learning experience in their  local community.  Through the Ready & Resilient Children project,  CCPC seeks to develop school readiness and resilience among children, ages birth to 5. This literacybased program will support families as they learn  the importance of early education preparation for  their children’s school success, the different types  of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the  impact they have on children and their ability to  learn and live successful lives, as well as how families can work together to identify, address, and ultimately reduce ACEs by adopting resiliency skills.  Elements of the project include recruitment, interactive workshops, educational books and materials  for parents/guardians and children to foster school  readiness and resilience. Incentives are available to  families that participate for the duration of the project.  For more information, call Alyssa Lewis at 910-642 -8226 ext. 111, or Gloria Riddick at 910-642-8226.