Our Impact
For over 25 years, Wake County Smart Start has been helping prepare children with the greatest needs for success in kindergarten and life ahead. Along with our network of community partners, we work to create safe, nurturing, healthy, and empowering environments where everyone – children, parents, and educators – thrive.
WCSS served over 5,000 children in fiscal year 2022-23.
Child care facilities in Wake County benefited from our programs.
Program Reach
2023-2024
Liliana
PARTICIPANT, HOME VISITOR PROGRAM | PARENTS AS TEACHERS, FUNDED PARTNER
Watch Liliana speak about how parent educator, Paulette West, from the Parents as Teachers home visiting program, made an impact on her life.
Ana
Ana enrolled her younger son, Dylan, in HIPPY after seeing her older son, Miguel, benefit from the program the previous year. Ana frequently struggled with Dylan’s behavior and was concerned because he didn’t engage in age-appropriate activities. The HIPPY family support specialist came to Ana’s home and taught her methods for regulating Dylan’s behavior and how to provide a conducive learning environment for him. Within weeks of participating in the home visiting program, Ana noticed significant changes in Dylan’s developmental progress, such as repeating words and developing a passion for reading.
“HIPPY gave me the tools and encouragement to help Dylan and to enhance his education and behavior.”
In the Community
2023-2024
Talia
Talia, mother to a one-year-old, was the only person in her friend group with a child. She was searching for a program that offered parent support and friendship with other young parents. PEPS offered Talia a safe place to be vulnerable and talk with other parents about the real parts of motherhood. Throughout her time with PEPS, Talia participated in all the group activities and enjoyed making friends.