Wake Connections

Wake Connections is a coordinated intake and referral system that connects families with high quality home-based programs.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a free high quality, age-appropriate book to children in Wake County every month from birth to age 5 to encourage a love of reading and readiness for kindergarten.

Program for Early Parent Support

Participants in both Spanish- and English-speaking communities are provided with emotional support, an inclusive and safe community, and empowerment to grow as they experience challenges with others who understand their perspective. These programs are completely free of cost and provide participants with crucial resources including diapers, grocery gift cards and books (in participants’ home language). TAPS is currently offering these programs to families in Wake County with babies up to 18 months of age.

Early Literacy Initiatives

Early Literacy Initiatives will promote parent engagement and parenting practices in Wake County by providing activities, education, and resource materials through two literacy programs: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Reach Out and Read.

Building Family Support

Nurse-Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership is a free, voluntary program that partners first-time moms with nurse home visitors.

Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers (PAT) services are offered to children from birth to age 5 who need help preparing for success in school.

SecurePath

SecurePath is a comprehensive mental health service for young children in Wake County that is provided at the child’s home or preschool.

Crianza con Cariño

This 15-week family education program blends child-rearing information with social supports to strengthen Spanish-speaking families living in Wake County.

Shape NC

Shape NC: Healthy Starts for Young Children promotes healthy eating and active learning through play for children from birth to age 5 by assisting communities in healthy endeavors.

Wonderschool

Wonderschool supports family child care home providers by providing dedicated technology, training, ongoing mentorship, and community to operate and grow.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The Wake County Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to parents for their child care needs for families based on an assessment of need, income and family size.

Farm to Child Care

The Farm to Child Care program supports child care facilities, fostering nutrition plans that include fresh, local produce for snacks and meals throughout growing seasons.

Quality Enhancement Projects

These projects support quality child care and are part of the Quality Enhancement Department within Wake County Smart Start.

Child Care Health Consultant Program

The Child Care Health Consultant Program provides on-site health, safety, and nutrition consultation in child care facilities.

Advancing School Readiness

Advancing School Readiness has two components. Directors can apply to participate in the Wake Directors’ Leadership Academy or the Accreditation project.

Wake ThreeSchool

Wake ThreeSchool is play-based preparation for Wake County’s three-year-olds before entering Pre-K.

REACH

Children in Wake County, ages birth to five, who are experiencing homelessness will receive assessment, assistance, and support services through REACH (Resilience, Empowerment, Access for Children Experiencing Homelessness), a program of Passage Home.

NC Pre-Kindergarten

NC Pre-K provides children with a high-quality classroom program to help four-year olds get ready for Kindergarten. Children attend Pre-K for 6.5 hours each day, Monday through Friday.

School Readiness Services for Hispanic Children

School Readiness Services for Hispanic Children & Families serves Hispanic families with young children in Wake County. It is a multifaceted program that builds early literacy skills, and provides screenings, information and referrals.

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)

HIPPY is a FREE 3-year, home-based, early childhood education program that supports parents while providing solutions that strengthen families.

System Improvement and Public Engagement

System Improvement and Public Engagement staff work with community stakeholders to strengthen and support the early childhood system of care and education.

Improving Early Childhood Education Access for Latinx Families

Child Care Referral Central (CCRC), a service of Child Care Services Association (CCSA), provides “one-stop shopping” for Wake County Latinx families, who have children birth to 5, with identifying, selecting, and accessing high quality early care and education opportunities. CCRC Specialists provide FREE services, which include counseling on child care options, referrals to programs, assistance checking vacancies, accompanied site-visits, support navigating financial assistance, and Spanish interpretation and translation assistance.

Program Coordination and Evaluation

Program Coordination and Evaluation staff work with community stakeholders to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate funded activities to achieve the goals, objectives, and outcomes identified in the Wake County Smart Start strategic plan.