Making where we live a better place. . .
Quality of Life Coalition of Dickinson County
Serving Abilene, Chapman, Herington, Solomon & Hope
Smart Start of Dickinson County
Preparing our children to enter Kindergarten healthy and ready to learn...
Smart Start is a national initiative to prepare families and children 0-5 for Kindergarten. Programs focus on health, literacy, and quality of childcare. The goal of Smart Start is to ensure that all Kansas children enter school healthy and prepared to succeed.
Since 2005 Smart Start Dickinson County has been seeking to improve children’s readiness for Kindergarten through better educated teachers, quality childcare and increased health and mental health services. During this time, Smart Start Dickinson County has impacted over 1,000 children and over 120 childcare providers with funding opportunities and programs such as WAGE$, T.E.A.C.H., CDA assistance, immunization assistance, infant hearing screens, and mental health and supplemental trainings.
Smart Start Newsletters
Smart Start programs available in Dickinson County
WAGE$ gives childcare providers and preschool directors/teachers a chance to
receive wage compensation for completing KDHE approved education courses.
T.E.A.C.H. grants scholarships to providers seeking an Early Childhood degree (AA or AAS) who are currently working in the Early Childhood field. Smart Start Dickinson County partners with Cloud County Community College to provide college-level education for Dickinson County childcare providers. A one-time, one-course scholarship is also available for childcare providers.
CDA Program offers scholarships and assistance for childcare providers working towards their Early Childhood Development Associate credential.
Childcare Enhancement Funds are annual grants awarded to childcare providers to increase the number of childcare slots available or enhance the quality of childcare in Dickinson County. Funds can help childcare providers become licensed or provide needed updates to ensure compliance with state licensing requirements.
Immunizations and Physicals are given in partnership with the Dickinson County Health Department to children who are beginning Kindergarten so that they meet entrance requirements. Funds provide free immunizations and physicals to children with financial need in Dickinson County.
An Infant Otoacoustic Emission screening machine was purchased to provide infant hearing screenings for Dickinson County families at Memorial Health Systems.
Mental Health Care and Education is a partnership with Central Kansas Mental Health Center that is available to childcare providers and families with young children (0-5).
A “Hotline” is offered for support and to get questions answered about behavior from a clinician. The hotline is accessed by calling 1-800-794-8281, ask for Pat Kinnaird.
Four training sessions are given by Central Kansas Mental Health Center each year guided by childcare provider need and/or applicable topic and are presented by a licensed clinician in Dickinson County.
Supplemental Classes are offered to childcare providers for professional training. Trainings allow providers to obtain valuable information in providing quality care for Dickinson County children. Most classes are Child Care Awareness of Kansas approved. CPR/First Aid classes are also available for childcare providers through Smart Start Dickinson County.
(Parents As Teachers) PAT is supported to reach additional families in need in Dickinson County. For more information contact the PAT offices:
Abilene 785-263-4006
Chapman 785-922-6521
Herington- Hope, 785-258-2263
Solomon 785-655-2551
Smart Start Childcare Provider Incentives
Child Care Awareness of Kansas Training bonus is available to entry-level providers who complete minimum KDHE approved trainings. Contact the Smart Start office at 785-263-1550 for more information and to sign up for the bonus program.
Tiny-K services will be provided in Dickinson County through OCCK with the financial support of Smart Start Dickinson County.
Is your child ready for a Smart Start?
Contact Nesha Mason, Smart Start Program Coordinator for QLC, Inc.
The Smart Start Program Coordinator is Nesha Mason. Nesha works with childcare providers and collaborative agencies to ensure your needs are being met. Questions or concerns about Smart Start Dickinson County can be directed to Nesha by calling 785-263-1550 or 24/7 by emaling Nesha direct.
Smart Start office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at 203 N Cedar St. Abilene, KS.
Smart Start Dickinson County is a collaborative effort of the Quality of Life Coalition, Inc., the Early Childhood Task Force of Dickinson County and the United Way of Dickinson County with funding provided in part by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.