Smart Start strives to improve outcomes for children by increasing young children’s access to healthcare and by working with providers, health departments, families, and communities to improve the healthcare systems that serve children.
Health and Safety
Many young children spend a large part of their day in settings outside of their homes. Smart Start works with Child Care Health Consultants to promote safe and healthy environments for children in child care settings.
Childhood Obesity Prevention
Children in child care may consume 50% to 100% of their Recommended Daily Allowances while at a child care facility. Smart Start supports programs that help child care programs offer more nutritious meals and physical activity time to prevent childhood obesity.
Developmental Delays
On average, 70 percent of young children with developmental delays are not diagnosed until they enter school. This means, by the time kindergarten begins, these children are already behind their peers. Smart Start is working to ensure that more children are screened for developmental delays and referred to services for help before they start school.