PROGRAMS

PARTNERSHIP

GET INVOLVED

The local Partnership 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 following programs are made possible to the young children:

The following Child Care initiatives are currently supported by the Rutherford/Polk Partnership for Children:

C.A.R.E. (Childcare Professional Assistance to Reward Education)   Rutherford and Polk county Service Area

 The Child care professional's Assistance to Reward Education (C.A.R.E). project is designed to improve the quality of child care in  Rutherford and Polk County by providing annual professional development supplements for child care providers who have attained or are pursuing higher education in the field of early childhood. To be eligible, child care providers must be employed in licensed child care programs in Rutherford and Polk County , serving children birth to five years of age.  For more information contact:

Family Resources of Rutherford County 
PO Box 1619 
Forest City, NC 28043 
828-247-1440 

Child Care Resource and Referral                                                     Rutherford and Polk County Service Area                                                  Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)  provides information to families in Rutherford and Polk County regarding child care availability and referrals for child care services; training for child care providers; outreach and public awareness pertaining to child care related issues; data collection regarding local child care needs and services; and advocacy for quality programs and policies affecting childcare.  In addition, CCR&R provides training and technical assistance to child care providers.  For more information contact:

Family Resources of Rutherford County 
PO Box 1619 
Forest City, NC 28043 
828-247-1440

Child Care Quality Maintenance                                 The Quality Maintenance Program is designed to maintain quality and level of licensure in Rutherford County childcare facilities serving children birth through five years. A Child Care Specialist assists facilities with at least a 3-star license, in designing and implementing a plan to enable them to maintain or increase their program standard points and design strategies to increase teachers’ education levels. An application process is used  to determine participants in this project, and a Child Care Quality Committee makes recommendations on prioritization of applicants.  For more information, please contact

Family Resources of Rutherford County 
PO Box 1619 
Forest City, NC 28043 
828-247-1440 

Child Care Subsidy Program - Rutherford                   The Smart Start Subsidy program provides subsidized child care services for families who meet the eligibility guidelines for subsidized child care who are not currently served under the existing purchase of care program with the Department of Social Services.  For more information regarding Child Care Subsidy services in Rutherford County contact:

Rutherford County Department of Social Services                                                                       PO Box 845                                                          Spindale, NC  28160                                828-287-6199         

Child Care Subsidy Program - Polk                             The Smart Start Subsidy program provides subsidized child care services for families who meet the eligibility guidelines for subsidized child care who are not currently served under the existing purchase of care program with the Department of Social Services.  For more information regarding Child Care Subsidy services in Polk County contact:

Polk County Department of Social Services                 330 Carolina Drive                                                  Tryon, NC 28782                                            828-859-5825

 Insurance Benefits Program for Child Care Employers This activity provides monthly reimbursement for a portion of health insurance coverage (up to $220 per employee per month) and implements an ancillary benefits package (life, dental and disability) for qualified full-time Rutherford County child care employees.  For more information, contact:

Rutherford/Polk Smart Start Partnership                          668 Withrow Road                                                     Forest City, NC  28043                                      828-287-2775

PO Box 823
Spindale, NC  28160
ph: 828-287-2775, fx: 828-288-9552
smartstart444@bellsouth.net