Anson County Partnership for Children has a “clean bill” of financial health, according to an independent audit. An audit of 2008-2009 Smart Start activities found the organization was in compliance and had appropriate internal controls. Anson County Partnership for Children administers Smart Start and More at Four funding for Anson County.

The state requires an audit of Anson County Partnership for Children every two years. Auditors look for compliance in three core areas: accuracy of financial statements; how the partnership processes and authorizes transactions such as grants, accounts payable, payroll and cash receipts; and contract compliance.

“We are very pleased with our results,” said Dana Maness, president of Anson Bank and Trust and board chair for Anson County Partnership for Children. “We have worked hard to use every tax dollar wisely to help our children and our counties thrive, and this audit shows we have done just that.”

Smart Start is an early childhood leadership network that leverages private and public dollars to address issues critical to North Carolina’s young children. Created in 1993 by Governor Jim Hunt, Smart Start is funded in all 100 North Carolina counties and is administered by 77 local Smart Start partnerships that create community-based programs. Smart Start financially supports programs that increase the number of quality early childhood program, provides education credits to early childhood workers, supports parent education programs and connects families with medical services.

Anson County Partnership for Children also administers the More at Four Program in Anson County. The community-based More at Four Pre-Kindergarten Program prepares children for success in school and helps provide a smooth transition for children to kindergarten. Anson County Partnership for Children is currently taking applications for children who will be 4 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2010. To apply for More at Four, please contact Kim Wilson at 704-694-4036.

The North Carolina Partnership for the Children (NCPC), Inc. leads the state Smart Start initiative. NCPC places great emphasis on local control, coupled with strict accountability, oversight and measures to ensure financial integrity. The Smart Start partnerships undergo either annual or biennial financial and compliance audits by an independent auditor.

For more information about Anson County Partnership for Children or the programs offered for children and families, visit the Partnership’s Web site at www.ansonsmartstart.org, call 704-694-4036 or find us on Facebook.

Smart Start is North Carolina’s early childhood leadership network dedicated to assuring that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared for success in a globally competitive world. For more information, visit www.ncsmartstart.org.