May 7, 2024 | CEO and President of Smart Start of Forsyth County, Dr. Louis Finney, Jr. and the Smart Start team met NC Governor Roy Cooper at the annual Smart Start conference held in Greensboro, NC. | |
Hello,
The Smart Start of Forsyth County team has been hard at work serving our community. From Pre-K Initiatives to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, we strive to meet families and educators where they're at with resources, advocacy, and training opportunities.
April was filled with SSFC events:
- The Chairman's Circle
- Raising Forsyth
- EnrichKids Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- Multiple Training Sessions
- MALE gathering
As discussed in last month's newsletter, our team has grown to 36 talented members. We have invested in the culture of SSFC to support hard work and kindness. By investing in our people and infrastructure, promoting ongoing professional development, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and actively seeking feedback from our team, we aim to strengthen our organization and lead the way in our community's early childhood landscape.
Your ongoing support for SSFC not only helps us achieve our mission but also underscores the invaluable contributions of every individual and team within our organization. Together, we're making a real difference. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Sincerely,
Dr. Louis Finney
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SSFC Team Photo at Raising Forsyth, 2024 | |
Our Annual Fundraiser, Raising Forsyth, was a wonderful celebration of families, Forsyth County, and our community partners. We thank everyone who contributed to our organization and the success of this event! $70,188.65 was raised to help children and families in Forsyth County. | |
Smart Start of Forsyth County (SSFC) hosted a Chairman's Circle Event to celebrate donors and Board members who contribute to our mission to create a more robust early education landscape in Forsyth County. | |
The EnrichKids Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was made possible by the Place Matters initiative provided by United Way of Forsyth County & SSFC. The grant provided upgrades to curriculum, equipment, supplies, and continuing education for staff. It was a wonderful event! | |
During their March 21, 2024 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners appointed one of our own to the Forsyth County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. We are so proud of you, Jalissa! | |
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Tuesday 5/7/24 | 4:00-8:00
Tuesday 5/14/24 | 6:30-8:00
Tuesday 5/21/24 | 6:00-8:00
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Playground Safety
Self-Care
ITS-SIDS
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Please note the SSFC registration system is temporarily offline due to a system issue we are working to correct. To register for the above sessions please email: Susan Smith, our TLS Manager (susans@smartstart-fc.org). When sending the email indicate the name of the training in the subject line. If registering more than one person include each individual's name and email address in your message. We anticipate the issue to be corrected by May 10th. | |
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The Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) is a new apprenticeship program from Smart Start of Forsyth County (SSFC) that aims to strengthen the early care workforce by developing high-quality early childhood educators through workforce development and career and technical education (CTE). This initiative is not just a standalone effort, but a strategic move that aligns with SSFC's strategic direction for 2023-2026 to "advocate for a strong, sustainable, and valued early care workforce" by focusing on "positive promotion of ECE through early recruitment in apprenticeship."
To this end, SSFC's Career Pathway Initiative increases the talent pool of high-quality, 5-star educators by establishing a CTE-to-workforce pipeline through local education agencies (LEAs) and organizational and community partnerships. Through an application process, the apprenticeship program will recruit high school seniors and fifth-year students pursuing an Associate degree or certificate. These students will not only receive on-the-job training, work-based learning, professional development, and coaching, but also gain valuable experience, contribute to their community, and build a rewarding career in early childhood education.
By partnering with LEAs and other external agencies, we acknowledge and appreciate their crucial role in the success of this initiative. We ensure that these students are not just working but also obtaining the necessary credentials and degrees, including the national Child Development Associate credential.
Smart Start of Forsyth County looks forward to the support of our local educational agencies, community partners, providers, and municipal agencies in this initiative. Their involvement is crucial as we work together to strengthen early care and help create a bright future for business expansion and development in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.
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“Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.”
-Dolly Parton
Through Smart Start of Forsyth County, the Imagination Library has served over 28,000 children in Forsyth County alone, but we are at capacity and need your help. Please advocate for this program so more of Forsyth County’s children can enjoy the free gift of literacy.
This program is free for children from birth to Kindergarten and supplies participants with age-appropriate books. From a young age, exposure to literacy is vital for later understanding of language and other studies.
To assist, please drop off or mail a signed copy of the letter linked below at:
Smart Start of Forsyth County
7820 North Point Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27106.
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:
Story Spotlight
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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children around the world. Imagination Library books are specially selected age-appropriate, high-quality titles. These books are delivered to registered children each month from birth to age five. Each one is personalized with the child’s name and mailed directly to the child’s home. This effort creates a gifting experience making books exciting and shows the child someone is thinking of them. The Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee selects several bilingual English/Spanish titles each year.
This book, I am a Rainbow was written by Dolly Parton and focuses on self acceptance.
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Choosing a childcare program is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make for your child. This Childcare Guide can help you with that decision. The ongoing Family Childcare Scholarship Program provides childcare scholarships to qualifying families residing in Forsyth County. Eligibility is based on income guidelines identical to the Forsyth County Dept. of Social Services. Childcare scholarships are available for children from birth through the start of kindergarten. All families that apply in February, March, and April will be placed on a waitlist due to funding.
The application for the Family Childcare Scholarship Program is on the SchoolMint platform. Parents will need to choose the 2023-24 application through April 30th. If you have not created an account for SchoolMint you must first create your account and follow the guided steps.
Parent requirements are as follows:
• Working 25 hours per week,
• Attending school full-time, Or
• A combination of working and attending school for a total of 25 hours per week.
We will not be taking any applications from May 1st-May 17th. On May 20th, the application for the 2024-25 fiscal year which starts July 1, 2024 will be available on SchoolMint.
Family engagement is also promoted through the Family Childcare Scholarship Program. Our team is prepared to promote healthy relationships between childcare providers, families, and their children by establishing positive and goal-oriented relationships to ensure family well-being.
If our subsidy program can be of service to you or your family, please contact us via email, and we would love to work with you.
Sherri Jones
Family Intake Manager
Programs Department
sherrij@smartstart-fc.org
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The recognition ceremony at the WSFCS School Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 16th was wonderful. Sherri Sawyers was presented with the recognition. In the pictures are Sherri, Erica Little (Teacher Assistant) and Nichole Rose (Administrator). All the teachers presented that evening, represented well for WSFCS. | |
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For 2024, Smart Start of Forsyth County resolves to help get more children excited about books. Child care centers and family child care homes in Forsyth County can receive visits from Tim Campbell, local actor and early childhood professional, to come out to their classrooms with an age-appropriate book and a related activity. Watch Tim model effective strategies for reading to young children while he delights the children in your classroom with his larger-than-life storytelling.
Books and activities related to a variety of themes and topic areas are available. For more information, contact Tim at timothyc@smartstart-fc.org, or by calling 336-725-6011 and asking to speak with Tim. We look forward to sharing Story Time with you!
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