Start Smart Fact Sheet

The Initiative: Start Smart is Franklin County’s focus on early childhood, and is a public-private partnership designed to increase children’s readiness for kindergarten and success in life. Based on brain research showing that the quality of early interactions increases children's capacity to learn, Start Smart focuses on improving the quality of early childhood experiences for children, from newborns to age five. 

Leadership:  Start Smart is led by Franklin County and the United Way of Central Ohio, in collaboration with Franklin County Help Me Grow.  It was developed by the Kindergarten Readiness Committee of the United Way Education Vision Council and further refined by a local leadership team of business, education and child care leaders.  Start Smart is chaired by Ann Pizzuti, Ann Wolfe and Abigail Wexner.  Steering Committee members include Yvette McGee Brown, Peggy Calestro, Lisa Courtice, Dr. David Fisher, Joe Gioffre, Janet Jackson, Mary Lou Langenhop, Douglas Lumpkin, Mark Real, Dr. Bernice Smith, Susan Tomasky.

The Collaborative and Objectives: Start Smart involves a large public-private collaborative of agencies and organizations.  These partners work together on a multi-faceted effort with a single focus: early childhood.  The initiative has six objectives:

1. Assist more parents and caregivers through education, training and helpful materials.
2. Create more child care spaces, in centers and homes, for babies and toddlers.
3. Raise the quality of early care and education through accreditation and training.
4. Collaborate with community medical care outreach programs to provide health care information and parent materials.
5. Advocate for public policy and funding to support high quality early care and education.
6. Focus community attention on early childhood by regular communication with community leaders and local media

History:  Start Smart began in 1998 when the United Way Education Vision Council identified early childhood and kindergarten readiness as a priority. United Way then joined with Franklin County to build on efforts already underway and formed a collaborative of more than 40 local agencies and organizations.  By 2000, a plan was developed in six broad policy areas, all current efforts were identified, goals were established and a plan of execution was launched. In 2005, Start Smart completed its initial phase of operation.  Currently, the initiative continues as a community priority for the United Way and Franklin County.

Funders:  Start Smart is funded by a partnership of public and private interests. 

Public Outreach: Start Smart is based on research that demonstrates that early, repeated interactions with infants and toddlers can increase their ability to learn. While carrying out everyday activities like loving, feeding, clothing and caring for children, parents and caregivers can literally build their brains, starting at birth.  Start Smart recognizes that what happens in

children’s first five years can increase success later in school and life.   To this end, Start Smart works to reinforce with parents and caregivers that simple, repeated interactions can help children birth to five to learn and grow. 

Free Materials:  The initiative provides a flip chart-style booklet of activity tips free to parents and caregivers.  The flip chart can be obtained by calling the Start Smart helpline at (614) BE-SMART.  Activity tips also are available in Spanish and Somali.  Start Smart also provides a Web site, www.startsmartcolumbus.org for parents, caregivers and community officials.  Activity tips, a calendar of local children’s events, a resource directory, early childhood links and other information are available on the Web site.

Start Smart, along with a local collaboration of agencies, also offers a booklet “You Want the Best: A Guide to Finding and Keeping Good, Safe Child Care.”  The booklet provides helpful information on child care settings in centers and homes to help parents as they are choosing providers and if they currently use child care services.  A wallet card and magnet accompany the booklet.

In addition, Start Smart provides “Born Learning,” which is part of a national effort sponsored by the United Way of America in collaboration with the Ad Council and Civitas.  “Born Learning” is an initiative including free materials as well as television spots focused on early learning.   It  offers helpful materials for parents and caregivers, as well as creative advertising that highlights the simple but important things we can do in everyday life to inspire early learning.

(MAY 2006)