Annual
Report
2025–2026
A year of impact for Brunswick County, NC
Strengthening families. Supporting the early care and education workforce. Helping to build a stronger community.
Who we are
Our mission
Smart Start of Brunswick County makes meaningful and measurable investments in young children, birth through age 5, supporting them in reaching their full potential.
Board of Directors
- Kathy Robson ChairCommunity Member
- Katie Solecki Vice ChairCommunity Member
- Karen Fleischhauer TreasurerCommunity Member
- Tonya Hamilton SecretaryChildren’s Dev. Services Agency
- Diana Hills At-LargeBrunswick County Emerg. Mgt.
- Avery AshleyNC Cooperative Extension
- Kyna Bryant-HardyPartners in Community, Inc.
- Jen DaminBrunswick County Schools
- LaKeasha GlaspieNC Child Care Health & Safety Resource Center
- Drew JordanCommunities in Schools of Brunswick County
- Heather PattersonBrunswick County Child Protective Services
- Kelli PrattFocus Broadband
- Polly RussCommunity Member
A message from the Executive Director
As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude and optimism. Children thrive when families are supported, educators are valued, and communities work together. This year demonstrated the power of that belief. Through our programs, partnerships, advocacy, and shared commitment, we helped create more pathways for children to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
None of this work would be possible without the generosity and dedication of our supporters. Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in a brighter future for children and families. We worked together with our community partners to amplify our impact. Our partnership demonstrates what is possible when organizations and individuals unite around a common purpose.
While we celebrate the progress made this year, we know there is more work ahead. We remain committed to advancing accessibility, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that every child has the strong start they deserve.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are creating stronger families, thriving communities, and brighter futures for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Strengthening families
Here are just a few highlights from our year in our four focus areas. The impact of our family support programs includes:
- Increasing positive parenting practices
- Enhancing parent social support
- Expanding knowledge of parenting and child development
- Improving access to basic needs for families
- Boosting social and emotional development for children
packets about Kindergarten readiness distributed to families, also helping build children’s excitement about starting school
four-year-old children participated in a free, high-quality Pre-K program
families and 222 children joined together to play, learn, share resources, and build social supports
Participating in parenting classes offered information and resources. But, more importantly… the classes gave me hope. It was an empowering experience, where my facilitator saw my strengths, asked me what strategies I thought would work with my family, and gave me opportunities to practice and fine-tune those strategies. Family life is happier and more manageable, and I now have a better relationship with my children.Father Participating in Triple P
Supporting the early care and education workforce
To ensure we live in a healthy, safe, and flourishing community, our working families need child care that is accessible and our children need quality early learning experiences.
early educators received salary supplements twice this year ($1,304 each). As a result, turnover among participants was just 14%.
early care and education professionals, representing 84% of Brunswick’s licensed child care sites, received in-service training in health and safety, classroom management, positive guidance, and resiliency
coaching visits supported quality early childhood practices in licensed child care
Many teachers working in Brunswick County cannot afford to live here, so they are quitting. WAGE$ salary supplements help provide financial relief for teachers who are underpaid so they can stay in jobs that they love.Brunswick County Early Educator
Enhancing early literacy
Helping children build home libraries and creating opportunities for book-sharing with a safe, caring adult fosters a love of reading, an interest in learning, and a strong and resilient foundation.
children received free books mailed to their home through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
books mailed throughout the year
Little Free Library book-sharing boxes maintained and stocked with children’s books throughout the county
Our community is terrific! While Smart Start strives to get books into the hands of young children, we are not able to use our state dollars to support the maintenance of our Little Free Library boxes. Every one of the 15 boxes we maintain is a direct result of collaboration and financial support of service clubs and community grants.Smart Start Staff
Building a strong, cross‑sector community
It takes a village to raise a child, so our system needs to be strong and collaborative. Early childhood deserves to be at every table and part of every conversation.
Facebook followers
visits to our website
community events joined, plus 5 we hosted
community coalitions engaged
BLOCKFest, September 2025
We appreciate you allowing us to use your space, toys, and resources for a supervised visit. Having a welcoming and developmentally appropriate space to facilitate a visit between a young child and his or her parent makes all the difference!Brunswick County Social Worker
Financial snapshot
A simple, transparent view of how resources supported the mission.
Resources
| Smart Start allocation | $1,292,387 |
| NC Pre-K | $1,898,125 |
| Federal grant | $81,657 |
| Program income earned | $4,941 |
| Private donations | $43,848 |
| Outside grants received | $4,000 |
| Total | $3,324,958 |
Expenditures
- Administration
- Early care & education
- Family support
- NC Pre-K
- Regional CCR&R
- Program evaluation
Thank you for being part of this work. Together, we are building a stronger future for young children, families, and our community.
Bolivia926 Old Ocean Highway, Unit C
Bolivia, NC 28422
Shallotte632 Village Road, Suite 1
Shallotte, NC 28470
