Be an Advocate/Volunteer

Smart Start Needs Volunteers!

What can you do? As a concerned citizen, you care about this County, about having a productive citizenry, and about our position within both state and national economies. So, how can you help us become an even stronger force?

• Join with us on one of our committees. We need all the ideas, suggestions, and hands we can get.
• You can discuss the importance of early child care and education with public officials.
• If you know anyone in the media, contact them about the possibility of doing a story about a Smart Start project.
• If you know a business leader, ask them to sponsor a Smart Start demonstration project (with either financial or in-kind contributions), or to allow a Smart Start project to occur on-site at their business. Ask if Smart Start materials can be distributed at their workplace.
• In your specific community, if you belong to a civic organization, host or co-host community forums on early childhood topics.
• Organize volunteers to build or refurbish a playground or child care facility. Conduct a book drive for a local child care program.
• Build a network of volunteers in your neighborhood to partner with a local child care provider for story-time, mentoring, snacks, or other provider needs.
• Recognize and honor local businesses, community leaders, or legislators who participate in any childhood or family initiatives. Engage them in discussions about the Smart Start message.
• If you know an educator or service provider, contact them about conducting parenting or early childhood education programs in your local area.
• In your house of worship, donate parenting books or children’s books to the library. Organize a recognition event for families raising young children. Inquire about donating space for a Smart Start program.
• Organize local retirees into an intergenerational network for local child care providers or families.
• If you know a physician, dentist, pediatrician, or other health professional, organize a Smart Start health project, with them as a sponsor.
• If you know a policeman, distribute to them the Family Resources Directory brochure from Smart Start (just call and we’ll provide you as many as you want).
• Organize events in your community with speakers focused on young childhood education/health, or other issues. At local community fairs and festivals, organize volunteers to distribute information to families participating in the event.

If you do participate with Smart Start, or organize any of the above, please fill out our In-Kind Contribution Form and send it in. To qualify for more grants, we need to keep track of our volunteer hours…you filling out this form will help us tremendously.