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sue. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Orange County Resolution of Support <br /> North Carolina Partnership for Young Children - Smart Start <br /> WHEREAS, Over the past decade, Smart Start, the state's early child care system for children <br /> under six, has been hailed as one of the most innovative and ambitious children's <br /> programs in the nation; and <br /> WHEREAS, Smart Start is being imitated in 10 other states, has won numerous awards and is <br /> now being used as a blueprint for a bill to launch a national Smart Start initiative; and <br /> WHEREAS, The audit issues raised in the May 19, 2002 News and Observer article occurred over <br /> two years ago and are not representative of the situation in Orange County; and <br /> WHEREAS, Annual financial audits, performance audits and on-going evaluations by the nation's <br /> leading early childhood evaluator have determined that children are entering school <br /> better prepared because of Smart Start services and state and local partnerships <br /> have improved their administrative functions; and <br /> WHEREAS, Over the last two years, the NC Partnership for Children has: <br /> ■ Instituted a formal financial monitoring and technical assistance section; <br /> ■ Developed a formal evaluation system that requires local partnerships to <br /> meet statewide minimum standards in financial and program areas; and <br /> ■ Implemented penalties when requirements and policies are not met; and <br /> WHEREAS, The News and Observer article further confirms that children enrolled in child care <br /> centers heavily involved in Smart Start programs did better in kindergarten than other <br /> children; and <br /> WHEREAS, The Orange County Board of Commissioners recognizes and appreciates the positive <br /> impact that Smart Start activities have had on preparing our local pre-school age <br /> children. <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> does hereby endorse-and fully support the initiatives of Smart Start and continued funding for the NC <br /> Partnership for Children. <br /> This, the 18th day of June 2002. <br /> gm—Tffacobs, air <br /> Orange C ty Bo f Co issioners <br />