Our Programs & Services

Smart REWARDS

The Partnership encourages local child care providers to increase their education levels by enrolling in college courses in the field of early childhood education. Smart REWARDS’ services include technical support and supplements (stipends) for the successful completion of coursework and/or the achievement of academic milestones (degrees or certifications) in early childhood education. Contact: Whitney Nazari Email: whitney@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1525



Child Care Resource & Referral

Child Care Resource & Referral services are designed to improve the quality of child care in Madison County, as well as to make child care more accessible and available to families. The activities include: local training, technical assistance and professional development counseling for child care providers; child care information, referrals and education for parents; and recruitment and support for potential child care providers. Contact: Penny Briggs Email: penny@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1529



Supporting Family Choices: Kith & Kin Care

The Partnership conducts group ‘play days’ for young children and their caregivers (parents, relatives, neighbors) throughout the county. The activities include learning-based play groups and developmentally-geared activities for children, and information for their caregivers. Contact: Beth Detwiler Email: anestinghouse@gmail.com Phone: 828.649.5189



Reach Out & Read

The partnership supports early literacy programs through partnerships and local medical centers to create a standard part of pediatric care and wellness. Health care providers use well-child visits to advise parents about the importance of reading to young children to prepare them for success in school. This effort works to build every child’s home library, enhance language development and promote a stronger and more nurturing home environment. Email: books@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1528



Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides a free book every month to children living in Madison County ages birth up to five years old. Participating children receive an age appropriate book each month, mailed directly to the child from the time of registration until their 5th birthday. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library supports preparing children for kindergarten by exposing children to the concepts of print, encouraging child/parent reading, and increasing early literacy skills. Email: books@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1528 Download a registration form here: Click Here



Child Care Subsidy

The Partnership works with the Madison County Department of Social Services to provide subsidies on behalf of children who are enrolled in 4 and 5 star child care programs. Financial assistance is offered for eligible families who are working or are in school. Contact: Madison County DSS Phone: 828.649.2711



Program Coordination

The Program Coordinator oversees all programs and projects of the Partnership, providing program planning, technical support, and service monitoring. The Program Coordinator evaluates community needs and analyzes program results to promote the achievement of the Partnership’s mission and goals. Contact: Lynn Bowles Email: lynn@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1526



Raising A Reader

Raising A Reader is a national, evidence informed, early literacy program designed to serve young children, from birth–Kindergarten, in environments where poverty, language barriers, limited formal education for parents, and other issues create challenges to regular book sharing. The program helps young children improve literacy development through a weekly rotation of books sent to children’s homes and daily book sharing between caregivers and young children. These activities are supplemented with literacy focused skill building workshops for parents. These practices, taken together, are designed to improve reading readiness outcomes for young children. These skills are important because children who can read are more likely to be successful in school.

Raising A Reader is currently active in several Pre-K classrooms across Madison County.

Email: books@madisonss.org Phone: 828.689.1528



Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

~Fred Rogers