In 2003, DEPC was selected to participate in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's SPARK initiative. The goal of SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) was to ensure that all children enter school ready to experience success. SPARK also focuses on readiness as a shared responsibility between families, schools and communities.

DEPC and Region A Partnership for Children in Western North Carolina represented the state as one of eight (8) SPARK sites nationwide. The SPARK initiative, which was funded for five years, will end in 2008.  

The impact of SPARK is significant. Most of the initiatives that SPARK funding supported or initiated have become integral parts of the DEPC Strategic Plan. These include---

Coordinated Subsidy System 

The Coordinated Subsidy System helps families access early care and education services. After one-portal-application and an intake process, the family information is put into a secure online database that calculates the early care and education services for which the child is eligible. This database also creates a coordinated waiting list to make sure children do not fall through the cracks and families who are "waiting" or are not eligible for subsidy services have access to other support services. The Coordinated Subsidy System is a collaborative effort among More at Four, both local schools systems, and the departments of social services as well as private child care providers and concerned citizens. For more information contact Matt Kopczynski, Program Director at 252-985-4300, x-202 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Ready Schools

Ready schools are able to meet the needs of all children regardless of development level, readiness for school or family need. This increases the likelihood that all children will have a strong early education foundation and is an essential strategy for ensuring that all children can be successfully launched as learners by the end of third grade and meet No Child Left Behind standards. A key component of the DEPC Ready Schools Initiative is the Ready School Innovations Award, a grant process to encourage elementary schools to take steps toward becoming a ready school.

In June 2007, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved a definition of Ready Schools along with a recommendation that every elementary school develop a ready school action plan as part of their annual school improvement plan. NC-SPARK, which included DEPC's ready school work, played a key role in the process that led to this recommendation. 

For more information, contact Pattie Allen, Ready Schools Coordinator, at 252-985-4300, x-262 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Community Forums

A series of community forums have brought people from local communities together to identify child/family issues and develop strategies to address these issues. Workgroups have been established in both counties. These workgroups meet monthly to focus on implementing strategies that support school readiness and transition to school. This community outreach/public engagement process has strengthened community support for ready children and ready schools.

SPARK Evaluation 

As a component of SPARK, DEPC has followed children who are participating in early care and education services from pre-K through grade 2. This process assesses the impact of quality early care and education on developmental growth and success in school through the second grade. For more information, contact Jessica Jones, Evaluation Coordinator, at 252-985-4300, x-236 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information about SPARK, contact Jessica Jones, Research and Evaluation Director, at (252) 985-4300, x-236 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .