THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170426
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Community leaders hope growing cooperation among agencies that serve children will help Pasquotank County land one of the state's largest child-oriented grants.
Virtually every North Carolina county will apply to become part of the Smart Start program, Gov. James B. Hunt Jr.'s fledgling initiative to send all children to school ``healthy and ready to succeed.''
Twelve ``partnerships'' of one or more counties will be selected for the program's second year and will receive a total of $12 million to improve child care, immunization rates and family services.
The application emphasizes cooperation between agencies and residents, a challenge local leaders have tackled several times this year through children's forums and another ambitious grant application.
``One of the key things behind this is collaboration,'' County Manager Randy Keaton said Tuesday. ``No one person is writing the grant. It's a group effort.''
To create as big a group as possible, the committees drafting Pasquotank's application are inviting local residents, especially parents, to a goal-setting meeting Thursday at Sheep-Harney Elementary.
``We need a lot of parent involvement,'' Keaton said. ``They're supposed to be part of the process. We want parents to tell us what they need.''
Project leaders also will be out in local service agencies asking parents about their needs and problems, said Daphne Robey of the River City Community Development Corp., which has been a driving force in recent community partnerships.
Applications, due Sept. 8, require counties to list their needs and resources, describe current programs and outline goals for improving services. Counties must also show how cooperation was involved in the process.
Robey said the requirements reflect a change from times when grants were developed solely at the top of the community ladder, by government administrators.
``Now they're saying to people, `We need the community who will be using the services to have more input,' '' Robey said. ``I think it's a good thing.''
Smart Start is based on the idea that giving children 5 and under the care and attention they need will help reduce poverty, crime and health problems later on.
Hunt has cited studies that say every dollar spent on early childhood development saves several dollars in later social spending and medical costs.
Camden County, which often piggybacks on Pasquotank programs, has discussed joining with Pasquotank's application. Camden officials are expected to attend Thursday's meeting.
Most other area counties are applying as well and will compete for three grants slated for the state's 25-county eastern division. Hertford and Halifax counties were among the 12 partnerships selected in the first round of funding last year, when one award went to each congressional district.
Organizers in several counties said Smart Start funding will help address gaps in children's services, such as day-care availability, that are growing more and more pressing.
``We don't have the number of licensed facilities to meet the number of children,'' said Cathie Latta, chairwoman of Dare County's Interagency Council. ``That's an issue that will have to be dealt with sooner or later, with Smart Start or without Smart Start.'' ILLUSTRATION: PROGRAM MEETING
WHAT: Pasquotank and Camden are among several area counties
applying for funds through Smart Start, Gov. James B. Hunt's program
to provide comprehensive care for children through age 5. Community
leaders will host an open meeting to discuss program goals.
Residents, especially parents of young children, are encouraged to
attend.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Sheep-Harney Elementary School media center in Elizabeth
City.
by CNB