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SMART START MATTERS
Summer 2013
A publication of Richmond County Partnership for Children
Budget differences could
make major impact on
Partnership funding
S
mart Start funding again is in serious jeopardy for
the coming fiscal year. As this newsletter was printed,
three different budgets had been proposed.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget is favorable for the children of
our state, the N.C. House budget is somewhat similar to
McCrory’s and the Senate budget cuts Smart Start by more
than 40 percent. A budget committee with representatives
from both chambers must work out a compromise budget
to present.
Here’s how the current House and Senate budget proposals
impact Smart Start and NC Pre-K funding.
NC Pre-K
The House budget limits the eligibility for Pre-K to
children with family income below 130 percent of the
federal poverty level ($29,055 for family of four in 2012).
The Senate budget makes Pre-K eligibility more
accessible. Children with family income below 75 percent
of state median income ($50,975 for 4 person household in
2012) would be eligible.
The House budget adds 5,000 Pre-K slots, albeit at the
lower eligibility, while the Senate budget eliminates 2,500
slots in 2013-2014 and an additional 5,000 slots in 201415.
The House budget adds $24.6 million in funding, while the
Senate cuts $12.4 million in 2013-14 and $24.9 million in
2014-15.
Smart Start Programs
The House leaves Smart Start funding in place at $146
Play Daze
Photos and story on Page 2.
million of state dollars. As it stands now, the Senate budget
guts the Smart Start program.
The Senate budget moves about 42 percent of Smart Start
funding to county DSS programs in order to add to child
care subsidies; total allocation for Smart Start of about
$84.6 million.
Both budgets require local partnerships to increase their
match to state dollars from 13 percent to 15 percent over
two years.
Child Care Subsidies
The third part of the early-childhood budget is for child
care subsidies, a program that allows low-income working
families to have access to child care.
The House budget keeps child care subsidies essentially
the same, while the Senate budget adds $9.8 million in
2013-14 and $22.2 million in 2014-15, taking funds from
both Smart Start and Pre-K programs.
Play
Daze
M
ore than 300
youngsters enjoyed a day of
outdoor fun at Play Daze, an
outdoor learning experience
hosted by the Richmond
County Partnership for
Children and the Early
Childhood Department of
Richmond Community
College.
While the children thought
the event was just a fun opportunity to
play, run around in the open air and
even use their outside voice, it was
much more. Each of the activities held
a learning opportunity, including
counting, motor skills, dance and
safety.
Canine Deputy Josh Chermak and his
dog, Kees, mesmerized the youths as
Kees followed the deputy’s hand
movements to stay, go and even bark.
Kids rolled balls through a lengthy
pipe, waiting for the balls to reappear
at the bottom and occasionally peering
in the end to see what was happening.
Others dug in a sandbox, describing
what they were making to college
students manning the booth, while still
others twirled round and round with
streamers, collapsing to the ground
Page 2
with giggles as they became dizzy.
Play Daze was part of the
Partnership’s annual “Week of the
Young Child” celebration. The
nationally designated week focuses
attention on the needs of young
children and their families and
recognizes early childhood programs
and services that meet those needs.
“Early learning experiences are crucial
to the growth and development of
young children,” said Martha Vance
Brown, executive director of the
Partnership. “Never before have the
needs of young children and their
families been more pressing.”
While Play Daze was a program of the
Partnership and Richmond Community
College, it would not have been
Pictured at Play Daze are, clockwise from top left,
Carson Hunsucker, Abi Hadinger and Michael
Gibson with volunteer Sharon Goodwin.
possible without the contributions of
these local businesses.
Rex’s Floor Covering
Boe’s Florist
Vulcan Materials Co.
Hamlet Hardware
N.C. Zoo
Laurinburg Fire Department
Thomas H. Leath Memorial Library
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
Discovery Place KIDS
Cooperative Extension
Richmond County Schools
Pee Dee Electric
Seaboard Container Cleaning
Lowe’s of Rockingham
Be Active Kids
Cookies Closet
Marsha Williams
Summer 2013
A
Staff from Mt. Olive Christian Child Care Center accept the Center of the Year Award from Herman Williams, chairman of the Partnership for Children board of directors.
Partnership honors child care providers at banquet
local child care center and three
child care professionals were honored
recently by the Richmond County
Partnership for Children at the 12th
annual Child Care Professional
Appreciation Banquet.
Mt. Olive Christian Child Care Center
was named Child Care Center of the
Year and Tamieka Everett of the center
earned the Kathy Alexander Positive
Attitude Award. Amber Lampley of the
Mt. Olive center and Hope Smith of
Richmond Kidz Academy were named
Outstanding Teachers.
Mary Bailey, who called the center’s
curriculum “one of the best there is,
nominated the Mt. Olive center. The
teachers are some of the best in this
county.” Bailey says the students go to
the library twice a month, have music
every week and take field trips. “Mt.
Olive is on the top of its game!”
Director Vicki King also earned kudos
from Bailey for “never being too busy
to talk to you, no matter. She’s
Summer 2013
everybody’s friend.”
The nomination of Tamieka Everett for
the Positive Attitude Award called the
teacher “one of the best. She loves her
children, and it shows. She knows how
to bring calmness and peace to a
disruptive situation.
“When you see Ms. Tamieka anywhere
– classroom, halls or playground – she’s
always smiling and saying something
nice and kind to others.”
Hope Smith, winner of the Outstanding
Teacher award, was called “an all
around great teacher” in her nomination.
Hope Smith of Richmond Kidz Academy won
the Outstanding Teacher Award.
“Not only is she great with the kids, she
is with the parents. She always gives me
information on my child and answers
any questions I may have. My daughter
comes home daily talking about the new
things she has learned.”
Co-winner Amber Lampley “knows her
students and how they are learning. She
takes time with her students and gets
them to learn what they need to know as
they get older. She encourages them to
Amber Lampley of Mt. Olive Christian Child
Care won the Outstanding Teacher Award.
Page 3
do their best,” said Lisa Smith.
More than 120 teachers attended the
annual banquet, which also recognizes
teachers who advanced their child care
education as well as child care facilities
that raised their star ratings in the last
year.
“Child care in Richmond County is
quality child care, and the increased
star ratings of the child care facilities
and the increased education levels of
the teachers prove it,” said Martha
Vance Brown, executive director of the
Partnership. North Carolina uses a five
star rating program to evaluate
facilities on program standards and
staff education.
Staff from Cordova Pre-K display their certificate for achieving a five-star license.
Cordova Pre-K earned a five-star
license during the last year.
Eight teachers were honored for
educational achievements during the
last year. “We encourage teachers to
further their education, to improve the
quality of teaching in Richmond
County child care centers and homes,”
said Michell Kocan of the Partnership.
“But going to school while working
full-time is very difficult, and we want
to salute our teachers’ efforts to gain
higher education and a better
understanding of children’s needs,” she
said.
Scenes
of the
fun
Achieving the North Carolina Early
Childhood Credential were Culinda
Short and Brianna Douglas.
Earning birth to kindergarten licensure
were Erica White and Tammy Johnson,
while Cynthia Moore achieved Early
Childhood Administration I and
Teressa Beavers achieved Specialist in
Education Degree. Angela Bruton and
Tina Griffin earned associates degrees
in applied science early childhood
education.
Page 4
Teachers display their certificates for educational achievement.
Summer 2013
August-September Training Calendar
Rash Related Illnesses
Thurs., August 8
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
$3
At the Partnership
Taught by Marsha Williams
Information presented in this class will help participants to be
more aware of common rash related illnesses in children,
exclusion from child care, and measures to take to reduce the
spread of such illnesses in the child care setting.
Register by 4 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 1
Managing Conflict In Afterschool: Take A Stand!
Mon., Aug. 19 and Tues., Aug. 20 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$20
At the Partnership
Taught by Karen Darby
Conflicts and disagreements inevitably arise in afterschool
settings. Participants will learn practical strategies and
activities to use to resolve conflict.
Register by 4 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 8
Beyond the Books
Mon., Sept. 9
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
$3
Discovery Place Kids
Taught by Discovery Place Kids staff
We’ll explore different ways to extend children’s books
through music, movement, art and drama.
Session Title
Head Lice
Register by 4 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 1
Thurs., Sept. 12
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
$3
At the Partnership
Taught by Marsha Williams
Information will help participants to identify nits and head
lice, understand facts related to the life cycle of head lice,
modes of transmission, treatment, preventive measures,
increase their knowledge of rules.
Register by 4 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 5
Temperament in the Early Childhood Classroom
Thurs., Sept. 19
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
$6
At the Partnership
Taught by Cassia Simms-Smith
Are you and your children flexible, fearful or feisty?
Discover the traits that make up one’s temperament and how
the traits affect the overall classroom dynamic.
Register by 4 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 10
ITS-SIDS
Thurs., Sept. 26
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
$3
At the Partnership
Taught by Brandi Covington and Michell Kocan
Register by 4 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 24
Registration sheet for classes
Date
# Attending
Fee
Total
Rash Related Illness
August 8
__________
$3
__________
Names _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Managing Conflict In Afterschool
August 19, 20
__________
$20
__________
Names _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Beyond the Books
September 9
__________
$3
__________
Names _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Head Lice
September 12
__________
$3
__________
Names _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Temperament in Early Childhood Class
September 19
__________
$6
__________
Names _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
ITS-SIDS
September 26
__________
$3
__________
Names ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Registration only valid with cash or check payable to Richmond County Partnership for Children. Forms and
payments can be delivered or mailed to PO Box 1944, Rockingham, NC 28380.
Registration is due two business days before training; refunds only if a session is canceled. Children are not
allowed at training classes. If you bring a child, you will be asked to leave. Participants who arrive more than
15 minutes late will not receive a certificate of completion. However, you may still participate.
Summer 2013
Amount Enclosed
_____________
Page 5
Our board of directors and staff
Richmond County Partnership for Children is fortunate to have the
expertise and guidance of an outstanding volunteer board of directors.
Grant Hunsucker
(First Health)
Director of Finance
Sarah Mammarella
(Richmond County
Cooperative Extension)
James McLester
(M & F Enterprises RC)
Rhonda Phillips
(Kid’s World)
Julie Bryant
Brandi Covington
Resource and Professional
Development Specialist
Michell Kocan
Administrator, Child Care Avenues
Sylvia Knotts
Library Assistant & Program Coordinator
Mamie LeGrand
Program Coordinator and Evaluator
Visit us at www.richmondsmartstart.org
RICHMOND COUNTY
Dr. Masoud Ahdieh
(Masoud Ahdieh, MD, PA)
Allison Duckworth
(First Health)
Brian Leggett
(First Bank)
Executive Director
Partnership
Wiley Mabe
Treasurer
(Fidelity Bank)
Jason Deane
(Deane, Williams & Deane)
Martha Vance Brown
Staff
for Children
Marcia Lambeth
Secretary
(Triple L Farms)
Dr. Tony Clarke
(Richmond Community
College)
Dr. Tommy Jarrell
(Richmond County
Health Department)
PO Box 1944
John Massey
Vice Chair
(City of Rockingham)
Melanie Carnes
(Sandhills Children’s Center)
Rockingham, 28380-1944
Herman Williams
Chair
(Retired)