In 2024, former Governor Cooper declared September Smart Start Month. We celebrate Smart Start Month—a time to uplift and honor the foundational role early childhood plays in the well-being of our families, our communities, and our future. But this year, the celebration has a deeper meaning, greater visibility, and a louder voice.

The City of Winston-Salem and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners formally recognized Smart Start of Forsyth County (SSFC) with official proclamations declaring September as Smart Start Month. These proclamations are more than symbolic—they represent the community’s unwavering belief in the power of investing early, equitably, and boldly in our youngest children.

As the proud backbone organization responsible for supporting the nearly 23,000 children ages birth to five in Forsyth County, Smart Start stands at the forefront of early childhood leadership. We are not just another nonprofit—we are an essential convener, a trusted community partner, and a catalyst for change.

Why Smart Start Matters More Than Ever

SSFC’s work touches every aspect of early childhood development from literacy to nutrition, health screenings, and family support. In partnership with local providers, families, educators, and advocates, we ensure that every child in Forsyth County has the opportunity to enter school healthy, supported, and ready to thrive.

We serve as:

✅ A Convener – Uniting childcare centers, public agencies, philanthropic partners, and grassroots organizations in one aligned vision.

✅ A Thought Leader – Guiding local solutions grounded in research, equity, and the lived experiences of families.

✅ A Steward of Resources – Managing millions in funding and grants that support high-quality early learning environments.

✅ A Voice for Children – Advocating at every level of government to ensure that early childhood remains a top priority.

Community Recognition, Collective Responsibility

The proclamations issued by the Winston-Salem City Council and the Forsyth County Commissioners reaffirm what many in our community already know: Smart Start of Forsyth County is leading the way. Their recognition is not only a celebration of our work—it is a call to action.

We are honored, yes—but we are also challenged. Challenged to deepen our impact. To expand access. To bridge racial, economic, and geographic gaps that far too many of our children face. Smart Start Month is not just a celebration—it is a charge to do more.

Moving Forward Together

As we move through September and into a new program year, we remain grounded in our mission: to ensure that every child in Forsyth County has the opportunity to develop, learn, and succeed. We call on everyone—families, businesses, policymakers, faith leaders, and neighbors—to join us in this mission.

This month, we are not just recognizing Smart Start. We are recognizing the potential of every child—and the responsibility we share to nurture it.

Thank you to the City of Winston-Salem and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners for standing with us. And thank you to every partner, parent, and provider who believes in our children.

Let this proclamation be not the end, but a new beginning.

Together, we Start Smart—and we Stay Strong.

With Purpose and Gratitude,

Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

Smart Start of Forsyth County

We are thrilled to share that The Winston-Salem Foundation has generously awarded support to Smart Start of Forsyth County to lead a county-wide initiative with early childhood providers. This investment marks an exciting new chapter in advancing equity, strengthening collaboration, and driving systemic change in childcare across Forsyth County.

Over the next year, Smart Start will guide the provider community through:



• Systemic Advocacy Training – equipping childcare providers with the tools and confidence to advocate for policies that uplift children, families, and the profession.
• Networking & Collaboration – fostering connections among providers to share strategies, challenges, and successes.
• Real-Time Data Collection – consolidating on-the-ground insights from childcare providers to shape decisions and highlight pressing needs in our community.

Our first convening meeting will be held on September 25th, where we will bring providers together to begin these critical conversations. A key focus of this session will be exploring the Tri-Share opportunity in Forsyth County, in collaboration with our partners at Moore County Smart Start. This innovative model has the potential to reduce financial burdens on families while strengthening the childcare workforce, and we are eager to assess its feasibility in our community.

This initiative is not just about professional development—it is about building collective power to address systemic barriers and create lasting impact for the children and families of Forsyth County.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Winston-Salem Foundation for their partnership and vision. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more equitable early childhood system that values the voices of providers and centers the needs of our youngest learners.

We invite our community to stay engaged as we embark on this transformative journey—because when providers thrive, children and families thrive.

The "Strengthening the Resilience of North Carolina Child and Family-Serving Programs and Systems" workshop was truly exceptional, bringing together an impressive coalition of state leaders and organizations united by a shared mission.

The collaborative power in the room was evident with distinguished participants including: Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Capita, State of North Carolina, The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Smart Start of Forsyth County, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction,

North Carolina Professional Lobbyist Association, NC State Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA), North Carolina State University, along with visionary leaders Amy Cubbage, Joe Waters, Mary Scott, and many other dedicated professionals.

What made this gathering particularly impactful was the collective commitment to breaking down organizational barriers and fostering genuine collaboration. When we move beyond working in isolation and embrace strategic partnerships, we unlock our true potential to create lasting change for North Carolina's children and families.

This is the kind of cross-sector collaboration that drives real transformation. Let's continue building on this momentum and remember that our greatest achievements happen when we work together as one unified force!

By Juwon Crowell

Director of M.A.L.E. and Family Engagement Leadership

Smart Start of Forsyth County proudly participated in the City of Winston-Salem Human Relations Department's International Festival on September 6, 2025, at Winston Square Park. This vibrant celebration of our community's cultural diversity provided the perfect opportunity to connect with families while they enjoyed global cuisine, cultural performances, and international crafts from Winston-Salem's many communities.

Our team engaged with hundreds of families throughout the day, sharing information about critical early childhood resources, including child care scholarships, the NC Pre-K program, and our exciting new Tri-Share Initiative that helps families return to work while supporting the early care and education system. Parents and caregivers showed particular interest in our MALE Fatherhood Program, Family Engagement services, and the comprehensive support available through our Family Resource Center (STAR). 

We also connected with early childhood educators about our Teaching and Learning Support Services and Child Care Health Consultation program, while several community members expressed interest in volunteer opportunities.

The festival served as an ideal kickoff for Smart Start Month, celebrated throughout September 2025 across North Carolina to highlight the importance of early childhood development. The day reinforced how our community's diversity enriches our work. It reminded us that by working together, we can ensure every child in Forsyth County—regardless of background—has the foundation they need to enter school healthy and ready to succeed. We thank everyone who stopped by our booth and look forward to continuing these essential connections in the months ahead.

By Marvin Fulwood

Director of Corporate Operations

When Smart Start of Forsyth County and the Pre-K Priority Coalition launched the ambitious ARPA-funded Pre-K initiative in 2023, we set out to transform early childhood education across the county. Two years later, the results tell a powerful story of community collaboration and student success.

The program didn't just meet its goals—it soared beyond them, serving 710 students instead of the originally planned 540, while directly engaging 220 families and supporting 76 teachers across 36 classrooms in 27 centers throughout Forsyth County.  The impact on young learners has been remarkable, with over 90% of students demonstrating measurable gains in language, literacy, and math skills, and an impressive 96-99% showing growth in social-emotional and physical development.

Behind these numbers lies a story of strengthened communities.  Family engagement events tripled from 9 to 27, while translation services expanded fourfold to welcome diverse families. Teachers received critical support through $658,481 invested in salary equity and retention bonuses, helping improve retention rates from 80% to 83%. Classroom environments flourished, with quality ratings rising from 5.5 to 6.1 out of 7.

This success emerged from strong partnerships between Family Services, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Forsyth Futures, the Child Care Resources Consortium, and the Hispanic League. Now, as the coalition looks ahead, its focus turns to advocacy, securing sustainable funding to ensure every Forsyth County child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.

By Glynnise Highsmith

Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives