In 2023, Forsyth County Commissioners and The City of Winston-Salem approved over $4M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds to support increased quality standards in a model cohort of 30 Pre-K classrooms representative of the Pre-K landscape across Forsyth County.
The Pre-K Priority recently hosted a community event and released OUR FIRST PRIORITY— A Year One Impact Report on Investing in the Children of Forsyth County. The report shares preliminary results of county and city funding 30 Pre-K Model Cohort Classrooms and shows significant progress in teacher retention, kindergarten readiness, and family engagement.
The selected model cohort classrooms will provide special supports for teachers and families, as well as enhance the quality of learning for children in the model cohort classrooms. The initiative will impact over 500 students and approximately 64 teachers in the 2023–24 school year.
ARPA grant funds for the Pre-K Model Cohort Classrooms are being administered by Smart Start of Forsyth County and will be distributed to partner organizations including Family Services of Forsyth County, Child Care Resource Center, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Hispanic League, Forsyth Futures, and Prismatic Services.
ARPA funding will support teachers, families, and children in the 30 model cohort classrooms by providing:
In 2023, COVID-related federal funding supported the Pre-K Model Cohort Classrooms benefiting 30 classrooms, more than 400 students, and 60 teachers. Learn how year one showed significant outcomes for children and teachers.
Investing in children, families, and teachers is crucial for closing opportunity gaps, improving community health, and stabilizing our workforce, with Pre-K as the top priority.
Director/Owner Church Childcare Center
Workforce Development Manager at Smart Start of Forsyth County
Sr. Director of Pre-K Initiatives at Smart Start of Forsyth County
Owner/Operator of North Point Academy
–Leslie Mullinix
Project Director for The Pre-K Priority
If you believe all children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential in school, work, and life, sign our pledge to show community support for Pre-K in our community.
Sign the PledgeA few times a quarter, we send out a newsletter with the latest news on Pre-K in Forsyth County. We will be sharing updates on the 30 cohort classrooms, as well as information on other opportunities to get involved.
Our elected officials need to hear from you, and maintaining our strong momentum as we move towards more permanent funding for Pre-K is critical. Show your support at City Council meetings and County Commissioners meetings
Learn about the progress and impact of ARPA-funded initiatives in early childhood education over the 2023-2024 year. It will highlight key findings, outline our vision for the future, and celebrate our successes.
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The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Task Force was established in the spring of 2021 to help determine recommendations and create a plan for the implementation of a Pre—K system in Forsyth County to provide all families with the opportunity to enroll their children in a high-quality program.
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See details about how ARPA grant funding will support services for teachers, families, and children in the 30 Pre-K model cohort classrooms.
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