Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond is a regional coalition of public and private organizations, business and citizens working together to ensure that the region’s children enter school healthy, well-cared for, and ready to succeed in school and in life. Our region includes cities of Richmond and Colonial Heights, as well as Chesterfield, Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan counties.
Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond represents a powerful network and organizing force, and the staff of the partnership serves as the backbone for coordinating and accelerating the shared vision. Since the first Regional Plan was launched in 2010, Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond has increased public awareness and coordination, leveraged new resources for quality services, and built strong cross sector representation and relationships. Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond partners have developed a shared agenda focusing on both service delivery and system change, cultivated trust and better communication within the provider network, and served as a bridge between schools, localities and programs.
We are one of 18 regional Smart Beginnings initiatives that form a state wide network supported by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. The Foundation works with Smart Beginnings partners across the state to understand barriers and promote opportunities for increasing access to high quality early learning.
Here in Richmond, our organization develops collaborative partnerships and convenes community leaders to build the capacity of the region to create optimal environments for children’s growth and development. Our partnerships throughout the Richmond region include more than 100 organizations. For more information, contact Smart Beginnings.
To support and build equitable and durable Early Childhood Systems to yield positive outcomes our region.
All children from birth through five in our region will be healthy, well-cared for, and ready to succeed in school, work and life.
Equity: We embrace inclusivity and a strength-based approach and believe in an accessible, high quality early childhood system in which all children and families have the opportunity to thrive.
Collaboration: We foster cross-sector relationships and family engagement recognizing we accomplish more by working together.
Integrity: We are accountable for our actions and principled in our work.
Responsiveness: We are problem-solvers and strive for innovative ways to meet diverse needs of children and families.