Community program empowers Latino families for school readiness

A government meeting highlighted the success of a unique home visiting program in Wake County, North Carolina, which has been operational for a decade. The program, the only one of its kind in the state, is a partnership with Wake County Smart Start and focuses on providing bilingual family support specialists who work directly with families for 30 weeks.

The initiative aims to empower parents by training them to become mentors for their preschool-aged children, specifically targeting those aged 2 to 4. Each week, specialists engage with families, teaching essential skills that parents can then pass on to their children. The program has shown promising results, with children leaving better prepared for school and demonstrating higher performance levels compared to their peers.

Approximately 50 to 55 families participate annually, with a significant majority—80 to 85%—being Latino families. The program has fostered strong community engagement, with many families returning for additional children as they become eligible.

The organization has also established a collaborative relationship with Wake County Public Schools, participating in workshops and resource events to further support families. Despite some challenges in partnership depth, the program's consistent success over the years has been a source of pride for its leaders, who look forward to expanding their impact within the community.