Board approves $454,000 Smart Start grant for Parents as Teachers program

The Davidson County Board of Education on Jan. 6 approved the district’s 2025–26 School Readiness Parents as Teachers program plan and associated Smart Start funding request of $454,000.

Hannah Vinson, coordinator for the Davidson County School Readiness program, presented the proposal and described it as a 28-year initiative that provides monthly home visits, group connections and developmental screenings to families with children ages 0–5. Vinson said the program served 86 families and 118 children in the previous year, conducted about 1,100 home visits, hosted 12 group connections and distributed 948 books.

Board members asked for a more detailed budget breakdown showing how the $454,000 is allocated. Vinson said salaries and fringe benefits make up the largest portion and offered to provide a line-item breakdown to the board; she also said the application packet contains more detail and that staff could supply the budget breakdown if not present in the board copy.

Vincent described referral pathways — Department of Social Services, the health department, school social workers, guidance counselors and family referrals — and summarized outcome metrics: 26 developmental concerns identified, 17 children referred for screening and at least 11 receiving follow-up services by the end of the reporting period.

A motion to approve the School Readiness PAT plan and the funding request passed by voice vote after a motion and second; the record shows no roll-call tally.

The board asked staff to share group-connection dates with board members and to provide the requested budget breakdown.

Votes at a glance: Approval of Davidson County School Readiness Parents as Teachers 2025–26 plan and funding request ($454,000 Smart Start funds) — passed (voice vote; exact tally not specified).