Program areas at RAPC
North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Program (NC Pre-K) provides high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for over 600 eligible four year old children in 49 classrooms in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties as well as the Qualla Boundary (Region A). Risk factors and eligibility are determined by the State of North Carolina. NC Pre-K provides licensed teachers and standardized curriculum in the classroom over a ten month program preparing children for kindergarten. NC Pre-K quality and capacity building funds are used to provide professional development to Pre-K teachers and classroom materials for high quality instruction.
Family Support. This category includes system support for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and the distribution and administration of 28,166 books to nearly 3,700 children throughout Region A; community systems building; child nutrition education in five counties; and Sesame Street in Communities literacy and resource sharing events in two counties with hundreds participants at each event.
Smart Start Programming. A North Carolina state-wide early childhood and education initiative provides the following family-centered programming. Parents As Teachers (PAT) Parent Educators who provide home visits, group connections, and child development assessments to 74 families in Region A. Reach Out and Read distributeding 8,267 books to children ages 0-5 while discussing the importance of literacy during child wellness visits at 11 participating physician's offices in Region A. Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs) provide technical assistance and training to 110 childcare facilities in Region A. Smart Start funds also provide support to Region A's North Carolina childcare subsidy program, Family Support Network, overall project management and program evaluation.
Health and Safety. Additional support for the Family Support Network of Region A with over 730 parents throughout Region A participating in the program.