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About Us

Learn about the Cabarrus Partnership for Children and how we connect people, programs, and resources to support the growth, health, and school readiness of children ages 0–5 in Cabarrus County.

Our Mission

We seek to strengthen the capacity of families, educators, and the community to build strong foundations to ensure Child Well Being.

Service Providers

The Cabarrus Partnership for Children collaborates with all the necessary people and agencies involved in a young child’s life.  The following is a list of agencies and organizations in our area that we work with on a regular basis:

Board of Directors

The Cabarrus Partnership for Children’s Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders with expertise in a wide range of areas, including early education, healthcare, advocacy, business and family support services. The Board plays a crucial role in setting our organization up for success while upholding the Cabarrus Partnership’s mission to connect purpose, people and programs to ensure child well-being in Cabarrus County.

  • Stacy Fackler – Atrium Health Cabarrus
  • Jessica Grant – Cabarrus Health Alliance
  • Melanie Hollis – Cabarrus County Library
  • Jeff Jones – Cabarrus County Commissioner
  • Lora Lipe – Cabarrus County Dept. of Human Services
  • Samantha Moose – Parent Representative
  • Sara Newell – Kannapolis City Schools
  • Aalece Pugh – Assistant County Manager
  • Malisha Ross – Partners Behavioral Health
  • Gil Small – Executive RCA Records
  • Pam Smith – Cooperative Christian Ministries
  • Beth Street – NC District Court Judge
  • Rev. Jacqueline Whitfield – Retired, Cabarrus County Schools

If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please email Ann Benfield.

Click here for Board meeting schedule and minutes.


Our Focus

Health and Early Intervention
Early intervention and health are essential for child development. Timing is critical in order for children to fulfill their potential. A healthy start is vital to a child’s future!

Early Care and Education
Improves the quality of care for young children in local child care facilities, public schools, and church preschools.

Family Education and Support
Provides families with education, information, resources, and support so their children can have the best start at life.


Meet Our Team

Ann Benfield

Executive Director

Email Ann
704-933-8278 (ext. 4)

Lauren Westin

Associate Director

Email Lauren
704-933-8278 (ext. 6)

Ariel Ayers

Finance Director

Email Ariel
704-933-8278 (ext. 5)

Patricia Sehorn

NC Pre-K Program Manager

Email Patricia
704-933-8278 (ext. 4)

Starla Hatley

Program Manager/Safe Kids/LICC

Email Starla
704-490-0976

Tu’Nicquia Bradley

NC Pre-K Coordinator

Email Tu’Nicquia
704-933-8278 (ext. 2)

Lissy Rios

Program Assistant

Email Lissy
704-933-8278 (ext. 1)

Debra Pless

Child Care Health Consultant

Email Debra
704-933-8278 (ext. 1)

Melissa Jones

Child Care Health Consultant

Email Melissa
704-933-8278 (ext. 1)

Community Partners

Our work in Cabarrus County is made possible with the help of the following organizations, agencies, and businesses.

  • All Saints Episcopal Church
  • Amazing Grace Advocacy
  • Atrium Health Cabarrus
  • Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships
  • Bentley Insurance
  • Big Brothers & Big Sisters
  • Cabarrus Arts Council
  • Cabarrus Boys & Girls Club
  • Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce
  • Cabarrus Community Free Clinic
  • Cabarrus County Child Care Providers
  • Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension
  • Cabarrus County District Attorney
  • Cabarrus County Education Foundation
  • Cabarrus County Extension & Community Association (ECA)
  • Cabarrus County Government
  • Cabarrus County Government Cabarrus County Dept. Human Services
  • Cabarrus County Head Start – Save the Children
  • Cabarrus County Schools
  • Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department
  • Cabarrus Health Alliance
  • Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers
  • Cannon Charitable Trusts
  • Cannon Foundation
  • Cannon Pharmacy
  • Centene
  • Central United Methodist Church
  • Centralina Workforce Center
  • Child Care Resources, Inc.
  • Child Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)
  • City of Concord
  • City of Concord Fire & Safety
  • City of Concord Police Department
  • City of Kannapolis
  • City of Kannapolis Fire Department
  • City of Kannapolis Police Department
  • Community Foundation of the Carolinas – Cabarrus
  • Concord Housing Authority
  • Cooperative Christian Ministry
  • Country Law Shack
  • Duke Energy
  • Early Childhood Foundation
  • Ellis Jewelers
  • Esther’s Heart
  • F&M Bank
  • Faith Community Health Ministry
  • Family Support Network of Southern Piedmont
  • First Christian Church
  • First Presbyterian Church
  • Forest Hills United Methodist Church
  • Foundation for the Carolinas
  • GATE Pregnancy Resource Center
  • GEM Theatre
  • Grace Lutheran Church
  • Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County
  • Hayes Trust
  • Healthy Cabarrus
  • Hilbish Ford
  • Kannapolis City Schools
  • Kids Korner
  • Little Learners
  • Lockhart Child Development Center
  • Logan Community Child Development Center
  • McGill Baptist Church
  • McKnight Head Start
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Mental Health of America of Central Carolinas
  • Midway United Methodist Church
  • Moose Pharmacy
  • Multi-Cultural Learning Center
  • NAACP
  • NC Representative Kristin Baker
  • NC Senator Paul Newton
  • NCWorks
  • Office of Representative Richard Hudson
  • Office of Senator Richard Burr
  • Office of Senator Thom Tillis
  • Operation Bread Basket
  • Operation Homeless
  • Partners Behavioral Health
  • Perry Productions
  • Present Age Ministries
  • Reflections Grief Recovery
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Rotary Club of Cabarrus County
  • Rowan Cabarrus Community College
  • Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA
  • Safe Kids Cabarrus
  • Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency
  • Salvation Army
  • Speedway Children’s Charities
  • St. James Lutheran Church
  • Stanly County Community College
  • The Johnathan Foundation
  • Trinity United Methodist Church
  • TruCare Pharmacy
  • UNC Chapel Hill School of Government
  • UNC Charlotte
  • United Way of Central Carolinas
  • Wilmar ECA

Community Partners

Our work in Cabarrus County is made possible with the help of the following organizations, agencies, and businesses.

  • All Saints Episcopal Church
  • Amazing Grace Advocacy
  • Atrium Health Cabarrus
  • Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships
  • Bentley Insurance
  • Big Brothers & Big Sisters
  • Cabarrus Arts Council
  • Cabarrus Boys & Girls Club
  • Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce
  • Cabarrus Community Free Clinic
  • Cabarrus County Child Care Providers
  • Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension
  • Cabarrus County District Attorney
  • Cabarrus County Education Foundation
  • Cabarrus County Extension & Community Association (ECA)
  • Cabarrus County Government
  • Cabarrus County Government Cabarrus County Dept. Human Services
  • Cabarrus County Head Start – Save the Children
  • Cabarrus County Schools
  • Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department
  • Cabarrus Health Alliance
  • Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers
  • Cannon Charitable Trusts
  • Cannon Foundation
  • Cannon Pharmacy
  • Centene
  • Central United Methodist Church
  • Centralina Workforce Center
  • Child Care Resources, Inc.
  • Child Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)
  • City of Concord
  • City of Concord Fire & Safety
  • City of Concord Police Department
  • City of Kannapolis
  • City of Kannapolis Fire Department
  • City of Kannapolis Police Department
  • Community Foundation of the Carolinas – Cabarrus
  • Concord Housing Authority
  • Cooperative Christian Ministry
  • Country Law Shack
  • Duke Energy
  • Early Childhood Foundation
  • Ellis Jewelers
  • Esther’s Heart
  • F&M Bank
  • Faith Community Health Ministry
  • Family Support Network of Southern Piedmont
  • First Christian Church
  • First Presbyterian Church
  • Forest Hills United Methodist Church
  • Foundation for the Carolinas
  • GATE Pregnancy Resource Center
  • GEM Theatre
  • Grace Lutheran Church
  • Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County
  • Hayes Trust
  • Healthy Cabarrus
  • Hilbish Ford
  • Kannapolis City Schools
  • Kids Korner
  • Little Learners
  • Lockhart Child Development Center
  • Logan Community Child Development Center
  • McGill Baptist Church
  • McKnight Head Start
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Mental Health of America of Central Carolinas
  • Midway United Methodist Church
  • Moose Pharmacy
  • Multi-Cultural Learning Center
  • NAACP
  • NC Representative Kristin Baker
  • NC Senator Paul Newton
  • NCWorks
  • Office of Representative Richard Hudson
  • Office of Senator Richard Burr
  • Office of Senator Thom Tillis
  • Operation Bread Basket
  • Operation Homeless
  • Partners Behavioral Health
  • Perry Productions
  • Present Age Ministries
  • Reflections Grief Recovery
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Rotary Club of Cabarrus County
  • Rowan Cabarrus Community College
  • Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA
  • Safe Kids Cabarrus
  • Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency
  • Salvation Army
  • Speedway Children’s Charities
  • St. James Lutheran Church
  • Stanly County Community College
  • The Johnathan Foundation
  • Trinity United Methodist Church
  • TruCare Pharmacy
  • UNC Chapel Hill School of Government
  • UNC Charlotte
  • United Way of Central Carolinas
  • Wilmar ECA