It's that time of year again! Help us collect new and gently used children's coats for the 18th Annual Cuddle Up Coat Drive benefiting Cabarrus County's youngest community members!

Request for Smart Start Funding Proposals | FY2025-2026 and FY2026-2027

The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children is seeking qualified organizations with expertise in early childhood to support our local community with evidence-based or evidence-informed services for children birth to five and their families.

The Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award is in honor of Anne's distinguished Smart Start leadership and her long career dedicated to the service of young children and families in Cabarrus County. This award is given annually to an exceptional individual at the local level who is devoted to public service and whose leadership qualities have resulted in significant change for the betterment of young children, families, and communities.

The State of North Carolina proclaims September 2024 as Smart Start Month. September was selected because it marks the month that the first Smart Start Local Partnerships opened their doors. In 1993, there were five Partnerships, and now, we are 75 organizations across the state—all working for children’s first five years. 

Each county-based Local Partnership is impactful for generations of North Carolinians. And this month we recognize our collective impact and invite everyone across the state to celebrate their wins for young children. We reaffirm our commitment to do more for children and the adults that care for them. A full month of recognition allows us to bring awareness to the Smart Start Network and to the importance of comprehensive supports for children right from the start.