Author: Avalin Inman

The Dollywood Foundation Announces “Give Like Dolly Day” on September 25

Written by Avalin Inman on September 16, 2026. Posted in Early Literacy, Family Programs. No Comments on The Dollywood Foundation Announces “Give Like Dolly Day” on September 25

The Dollywood Foundation, home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, today announced Give Like Dolly Day on September 25, a global day dedicated to supporting local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Programs and honoring Dolly’s extraordinary legacy of inspiring children to dream big and develop a lifelong love of reading. As Dolly often said, “If you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything.” At the heart of Give Like Dolly Day are the thousands of Local Imagination Library Partners around the world who help carry Dolly’s mission forward in their own communities. ...

Smart Start Month: Celebrating a Strong Start for Cabarrus County Children

Written by Avalin Inman on August 28, 2026. Posted in News, Smart Start. No Comments on Smart Start Month: Celebrating a Strong Start for Cabarrus County Children

September 1 marks the beginning of Smart Start Month, a statewide celebration recognizing the work being done across North Carolina to support young children, families, caregivers, and early childhood educators. The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children is proud to be part of the Smart Start Network, a network of 75 local partnerships serving all 100 counties in North Carolina. Together, Smart Start partnerships work to help ensure that every child, especially those from birth to age 5, has the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and prepared for lifelong success. “Smart Start Month is...

NCPC, Smart Start Network Honor Dolly Parton

Written by Avalin Inman on August 26, 2026. Posted in Early Literacy, Family Programs. No Comments on NCPC, Smart Start Network Honor Dolly Parton

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) and the Smart Start Network join families and communities across North Carolina and around the world in mourning the passing of Dolly Parton, beloved entertainer, philanthropist and founder of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. “The Smart Start Network is deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton,” said Amy Cubbage, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children. “Her belief that every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to develop a love of reading transformed the lives of countless...

North Carolina Proclaims June 2026 as Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month

Written by Avalin Inman on June 11, 2026. Posted in News. No Comments on North Carolina Proclaims June 2026 as Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month

The Decade of the Child (DOC) is proud to celebrate a major milestone in advancing whole child health and wellbeing. On June 1, 2026, Governor Josh Stein officially proclaimed June 2026 as Whole Child Health and Well-Being Month in North Carolina, recognizing the importance of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be healthy, safe, educated, resilient, and prepared for lifelong success. The proclamation acknowledges that children are North Carolina’s most valuable resource and emphasizes that their wellbeing should remain a central focus of public policy and community...

Cabarrus County Partnership for Children Announces Lauren Westin as New Executive Director

Written by Avalin Inman on February 10, 2026. Posted in News.

The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children (CCPC) is pleased to announce that Lauren Westin has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director, effective March 1, 2026, following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Ann Benfield. Westin currently serves as Associate Director at CCPC and has been with the organization since October 1, 2018, when she joined the Partnership as Program Manager. Over the past seven years, she has played a key role in strengthening relationships with early childhood educators, direct service providers, and community partners while helping...

Cabarrus Partnership for Children Announces Retirement of Executive Director Ann Benfield

Written by Avalin Inman on December 8, 2025. Posted in News.

The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children (CCPC) announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Director Ann Benfield, who will step down from her role on March 31, 2026, after nearly three decades of dedicated service to young children and families. Benfield celebrated her final Voices for Children Luncheon as Executive Director on December 2, 2025, marking a meaningful milestone in her long and impactful career. In a letter to community partners, Benfield shared the deep gratitude and mixed emotions surrounding her decision to retire. “Over the past 27 years, your unwavering support...