1993
Smart Start’s authorizing legislation is ratified on July 9; Smart Start receives $20 million appropriation; structure, goals and funding processes are established; the North Carolina Partnership for Children is created; the newly created NC Division of Child Development develops and implements Smart Start; in September, Gov. Hunt announces selection of 12 “pioneer” partnerships representing 18 counties

1994
Smart Start appropriation grows to $47 million; 12 additional partnerships are named from 13 counties

1995
Ten percent fundraising mandate established; Gov. Hunt announces $7 million pledge to Smart Start by six of the state’s top corporations; Smart Start appropriation increased to $58 million; additional 11 counties are selected, Smart Start services available in 43 counties

1996
Independent performance audit calls Smart Start a credible program that should be expanded; Smart Start appropriation now $67 million; 12 additional partnerships added; legislation passes requiring 30 percent of Smart Start funds be used for child care subsidies; legislation mandates administration of Smart Start be moved to the NC Partnership for Children; Gov. Hunt wins re-election to historic fourth term

1997
In January, the state level Strategic Planning Committee develops core services to guide local partnerships in developing and implementing services; NC Partnership for Children assumes full oversight and administrative responsibilities for Smart Start; Appropriation grows to $97 million, including planning funds for the remaining 45 counties without Smart Start; For the first time, every county receives Smart Start funding

1998
Smart Start services are now available statewide; Smart Start appropriation now $143 million; Smart Start wins the Innovations in American Government award from Harvard University and Ford Foundation

1999
Smart Start wins national award from the Council of State Governments; FPG Institute evaluation team releases study of six counties which shows children are better prepared for school; Smart Start appropriation grows to $217 million

2000
NC Ready for School Goals Team releases report defining school readiness; General Assembly appropriates $231 million to Smart Start, an all-time high; Smart Start tops more than $100 million in combined private support since 1995; Working Mother magazine ranks NC‘s Smart Start as one of nation’s top child care initiatives

2002
Smart Start funding decreases to $220 million; National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center established; Performance Based Incentive System is created to evaluate partnerships on statewide standards; Building Brighter Future ad campaign is launched with contribution from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; Federal legislation proposed by Sen. Edward Kennedy uses Smart Start as model

Smart Start funding reduced to $198 million; Hundreds of child advocates attend first “Keep the Promise to North Carolina’s Young Children” rally at the NC Legislature, lawmakers presented with petitions with more than 10,000 signatures supporting Smart Start

2003
FPG Institute finds Smart Start is achieving its goal, children are better prepared for school; Performance Audit of Smart Start shows financial compliance, NC Partnership for Children is providing effective assistance and local partnerships are effectively assessing local needs and developing strategic plans to meet community needs; Smart Start private support tops $200 million; 14 states use Smart Start as the model for early education programs