Smart Beginnings of Franklin Patrick serves a rural area in Southwest Virginia characterized by small county seats -- Rocky Mount and Stuart -- with mountainous geography covering most of the remainder of county territory. This creates transportation problems but also creates a sense of "community" at the numerous "neighborhood" public elementary schools in areas far removed from town. The lack of an urban center deprives many working adults of competitive employment opportunities as well as access to higher education. Per capita incomes are as much as $20,000 below state averages in Franklin and Patrick counties. Unemployment rates in the service area have been higher than the state rate over a sustained period of time, and the number of children living in poverty exceeds the state rate, as well. A combined average of 15% of the children in Franklin and Patrick counties live in poverty. Likewise, many more children in the these counties receive free or reduced cost meals at school -- 50% to the state's 34%.

About 3,700 children between the newborn and age 4 live in the service area, and a third more children under the age of 6 qualify for special education services than the state rate -- a trend that carries forth through Grade 12. The number of children without health insurance in Franklin and Patrick counties is double the state rate -- 17.5% and 20.3%, respectively.

Educational, municipal and social services experts in the service area agree that the early years of a child's life are crucial to their educational trajectory. Smart Beginnings was born of a desire to ensure that all children receive the help and guidance they need to begin kindergarten ready to succeed -- in life and in school.

Smart Beginnings of Franklin Patrick serves a rural area in Southwest Virginia characterized by small county seats -- Rocky Mount and Stuart -- with mountainous geography covering most of the remainder of county territory. This creates transportation problems but also creates a sense of "community" at the numerous "neighborhood" public elementary schools in areas far removed from town. The lack of an urban center deprives many working adults of competitive employment opportunities as well as access to higher education. Per capita incomes are as much as $20,000 below state averages in Franklin and Patrick counties. Unemployment rates in the service area have been higher than the state rate over a sustained period of time, and the number of children living in poverty exceeds the state rate, as well. A combined average of 15% of the children in Franklin and Patrick counties live in poverty. Likewise, many more children in the these counties receive free or reduced cost meals at school -- 50% to the state's 34%.

About 3,700 children between the newborn and age 4 live in the service area, and a third more children under the age of 6 qualify for special education services than the state rate -- a trend that carries forth through Grade 12. The number of children without health insurance in Franklin and Patrick counties is double the state rate -- 17.5% and 20.3%, respectively.

Educational, municipal and social services experts in the service area agree that the early years of a child's life are crucial to their educational trajectory. Smart Beginnings was born of a desire to ensure that all children receive the help and guidance they need to begin kindergarten ready to succeed -- in life and in school.