If you are a member of the media seeking an interview or comment from United Way of Central Ohio regarding our START SMART Initiative, please contact:

Kermit Whitfield
Director of Communications
United Way of Central Ohio
360 S. Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.227.2700

kermit.whitfield@uwcentralohio.org

 

START SMART, an initiative of United Way of Central Ohio, 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.

The work of START SMART is aligned with three of the six strategies that the Impact Council has identified for the kindergarten readiness community result:

Young children enter kindergarten physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively ready to succeed.

These strategies are:

Strategy: Increase the age appropriate development skills of children ages 0-5 through effective, involved parenting and quality early care and education.

Strategy: Increase the quality of early care and education centers and family care homes.

Strategy: Increase the access of childrenm ages 0-5 and their families to quality early care and educational services.