Amy Cubbage, president of the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), recently visited a local Smart Start location operated by Partnership for Children of the Foothills (PFC) to learn more about its programs serving Polk, Rutherford, and McDowell counties.
NCPC guides and facilitates the Smart Start Network, which supports the work of local partnerships and connects them to the statewide early childhood system. The organization develops policy for Smart Start programs and services and ensures accountability.
During her tour, Cubbage met with Barry Gold, executive director of Partnership for Children of the Foothills, along with Jamie Nanney, manager of quality support for the early education program, and Jessica Osteen, childcare specialist. Nanney and Osteen shared their experiences working with licensed childcare facilities in Rutherford County.
The visit included a discussion of the investment PFC makes in young children, families, and educators in Polk, Rutherford, and McDowell counties with a focus on:
- Strengthening families, the early education system, and the community
- Building a strong foundation for school and life success
- Supporting childcare teachers
- Improving the quality of care young children receive
- Investing in and encouraging early literacy
- Building a culture of health
After the tour, Cubbage said, “It was wonderful to visit the Partnership for Children of the Foothills and meet with the dedicated staff, including Executive Director, Barry Gold and his colleagues. I was inspired by their tireless efforts for young children and families in McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties. I am especially proud of the support the partnership gives including the impactful childcare technical assistance to the centers and teachers who educate and care for our most precious resource, our youngest children.”
