Child Care
Burke County Smart Start works with many different local agencies who provide services to children and families and works to identify needed programs and services as well as resources to meet those needs. Often, programs exist but are not being utilized. Sometimes duplication of services are noted. The Partnership was formed to eliminate those duplications and fill the voids in the service delivery system.
By blending and leveraging existing resources and providing funding through Smart Start, the programs below are made possible to the young children of Burke County:
DCDEE Approved Training and Technical Assistance
Child Care Connections, the local CCR&R service, provides DCDEE-approved training(s) and technical assistance for early childhood professionals intentionally designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities so staff are fully equipped to best support the needs of the children and families served.
Contact: Ashley Sebastian, Child Care Connections, 828-439-2328
Child Care Provider Insurance Benefit Package
In order to assist local child care providers in securing health insurance and ancillary benefits, the Partnership contracts with the local child care resource and referral agency to administer an insurance reimbursement program at no cost to the provider.
Contact: Gloria Smith, Child Care Connections, 828-439-2328
Child Care Subsidy
Child Care Connections will administer limited funds to eligible families for subsidy which may only be used for TANF/CCDF eligible children in four- or five-star child care programs.
Contact: Tami Sebastino, Child Care Connections, 828-439-2328.
Dual Subsidy Non-TANF/CCDF
Child Care Connections will administer limited funds based on a direct per-child basis for the purchase of part-or-full-child care and/or rate enhancements for families eligible for TANF or CCDF.
NC Pre-K Enhancements for TANF/CCDF
Child Care Connections will provide enhancement payments to eligible private four-and-five-star child care facilities serving NC Pre-K children whose families are TANF/CCDF eligible.
WAGE$
WAGE$ is an education-based salary supplement program for low-paid teachers, directors, and family child care providers working with children between the ages of birth to five in Burke County.
Part Day Program (STEPS Academy)
One Part Day Program Classroom will be placed in three schools within the county. The program will provide classroom activities to children ages three to five years old who are not enrolled in child care.
Contact: Jacquie Grady, Burke County Schools, 828-437-1584.
Program Evaluator
A Burke County Smart Start employee assists in measuring, reporting and monitoring the progress of Smart Start programs and offers technical assistance to contracted providers countywide.
Contact: Al Smith, Burke County Smart Start, 828-439-2326.
Burke NC Pre-K Program
This program provides quality educational experiences to enhance kindergarten readiness for four-year-old children who are at risk of school failure and to prepare them for success in school.
Contact: Tammy Roper, Burke NC Pre-K Office, 828-439-2326.