Programs

Bright By Text

Bright by Text is a nationwide text messaging service that supports parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to age nine. The service leverages the impact of text messaging to engage parents and caregivers where they are, delivering important information, developmental activities, and community resources directly to their mobile device.

Bright by Text is:
Free to parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to age nine
Evidence-based with content from more than 50 trusted early childhood experts
Tailored to the age and stage of each child’s development
Available in English or Spanish, and written at or below the 6th grade reading level
Whole Child, Whole Family content proven to increase caregiver confidence, competence, and connection

For assistance, contact Amanda Sanderson at 910-296-2000 or asanderson@dcpfc.org.

Sign up for FREE here: https://bbtxt.org/3Yx8HXk

Child Care Resource & Referral

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is an activity for early childhood educators working in licensed and/or G.S. 110 child care facilities serving children birth to five years old. Services that are provided include:

Technical assistance in the form of coaching and modeling provided to early childhood educators working in licensed, and/or G.S. 110 child care facilities serving children birth to five years old.

Training for DCDEE credit hours provided on childcare related topics.

For assistance contact Susan Elixson at 910-296-2000 or selixson@dcpfc.org Toni Hudson at 910-296-2000 or thudson@dcpfc.org

Child Care Scholarship Program

Financial assistance will be paid on a direct per child basis for subsidy for families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Teen parents still in high school and siblings of currently served children are put above the waiting list. An application must be completed to determine eligibility. If eligible, parents must choose a 4 or 5 star facility.

For assistance, contact Evelyn Dosen at 910-296-2000 or edosen@dcpfc.org, Amanda Sanderson at 910-296-2000 or asanderson@dcpfc.org

To search for child care providers click here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch

Diaper Pantry

Diapers and wipes are provided to eligible families on a monthly basis. Eligibility requirements:

Must provide proof of Duplin County residency (utility bill, North Carolina driver’s license or identification).

Must provide proof of paternity or guardianship (birth certificate or legal documents).

For assistance, contact our office at 910-296-2000.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Building literacy and language skills help children be kindergarten-ready, so they enter school with a love of books and ready to learn. This is important for school success because eventually they move from learning to read, to reading to learn. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners. Each month from birth until their fifth birthday, registered children will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail to read with their family. Participation in the program is free and open to every child in the community under age 5.

For assistance, contact Amanda Sanderson at 910-296-2000 or asanderson@dcpfc.org 

Sign up for FREE here: https://www.smartstart.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library/registration-dolly-partons-imagination-library/

Duplin Buckle Up Kids

Car seat safety is important for all parents and caregivers to know. In North Carolina, children are required to use a car seat or booster seat until they are at least 8 years old or 80 pounds (whichever comes first). Selecting an appropriate car seat for your child’s age, weight, and height is the foundation of car seat safety. Statistics show that properly chosen and installed car seats reduce the risk of fatal injuries.

Duplin County Partnership for Children is a Child Safety Seat Permanent Checking Station. Families can get their seat installed or checked for FREE. New seats are available to purchase at a reduced price, if eligibility requirements are met. You MUST call and make an appointment to have a seat checked or to be issued a new seat.

For assistance, contact Karen Pacheco at 910-296-2000 or kpacheco@dcpfc.org Toni Hudson at 910-296-2000 or thudson@dcpfc.org.

Little Free Library
Take a Book. Share a Book.

Little Free Library helps communities by inspiring readers and expanding book access. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day and are freely accessible to all, removing barriers to book access. We currently have libraries located at Kenan Park in Kenansville and Jimmy Jerome Park in Rose Hill. Additional libraries are forthcoming.

If you are interested in a Little Free Library in your community, please contact Christy Jones at 910-296-2000 or cjones@dcpfc.org

Quality Child Care Program

Quality Child Care Program (QCC) is an activity designed to promote continuous quality improvement of childcare centers and/or homes. Services that are provided include: Technical assistance in the form of coaching and modeling provided to early childhood educators working in licensed, and/or G.S. 110 child care facilities serving children birth to five years old.

Training for DCDEE credit hours provided on childcare related topics.

Smart Start funds may be used to cover expenses for materials based on needs identified in the pre-assessment in accordance with locally approved policies & procedures. Example: Non-cash grants for classroom materials based on needs identified in the pre-ERS assessment may be given to eligible facilities that are preparing for their upcoming rated license assessment.

For assistance, contact Susan Elixson at 910-296-2000 or selixson@dcpfc.org Toni Hudson at 910-296-2000 or thudson@dcpfc.org

Raising a Reader

Raising A Reader (RAR) partners with child care providers to encourage early literacy skills by providing a book sharing program. Raising a Reader (RAR) rotates bright red bags filled with award-winning books into children’s homes on a weekly basis exposing children to a variety of books per rotation cycle to promote family literacy habits, language and literacy skills, and a love of learning. Families are also connected with their local public library.

For assistance, contact Amanda Sanderson at 910-296-2000 or asanderson@dcpfc.org

Wage$^®

The Child Care WAGE$^® Program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid teachers, directors and family child care educators working with children ages birth to 5 years old. The program is designed to increase retention, education and compensation.

This service is provided by the Child Care Services Association.

For more information, contact our office at 910-296-2000.