About Us

Region A Partnership for Children is the non-profit organization that administers North Carolina’s Smart Start and NC Pre-K initiatives in the seven western-most counties and on the Qualla Boundary.

Our Vision:

Witness the Miracle… A nurturing community…a loving family…a smiling child.

Our Mission:

The mission of the Region A Partnership for Children is to improve the quality of life for young children and families in western North Carolina by fostering healthy family systems, promoting inclusion, and building resilient communities. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities for children and families to achieve their full potential through high-quality programming that emphasizes inclusion, equity, and belonging.

Our Goals:

Promote Healthy Family Systems:

Foster programs and initiatives that support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of families, ensuring they have the resources and skills needed to thrive.

Champion Inclusion and Equity:

Develop and implement high-quality programming that creates an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all children and families, recognizing and valuing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Ensure Equitable Opportunities for All:

Advocate for and provide access to resources and opportunities that enable all children and families to reach their full potential, addressing disparities and promoting fairness in all aspects of our work.

Engage in Intentional Partnerships:

Actively seek and nurture early partnerships with families and community groups to collaboratively design and deliver enrichment activities that honor diverse cultures and promote a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Build Resilient Communities:

Strengthen community resilience by collaborating with local organizations and stakeholders to create supportive networks and resources that enhance the overall well-being of children and families.

The overall goal of the Partnership is to ensure that all children arrive at school healthy and prepared to succeed.

Region A Partnership for Children (RAPC) encourages our staff and providers to share best-practices, tips, and other helpful information with one another and the families we serve. Information sharing is an integral part of growing our services and strengthening our programs to better serve our region.

Our services are made possible through the support and dedication of our community partners, volunteers, and generous donors such as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), North Carolina Community Foundation, the Dogwood Health Trust, and our Board of Directors.

Region A Partnership for Children staff picture with Cookie Monster

Janice M. Edgerton, MSW

Executive Director

jedgerton@rapc.org

Our Director

Janice M. Edgerton, MSW, Executive Director has worked with Region A Partnership for Children (RAPC) since August 9, 1999. She first served as the Project Manager for the organization until becoming Director in July of 2007.

Ms. Edgerton has worked in service and partnership with children and families for 42 years in a variety of agencies and organizations, in Syracuse, NY, Florida, Pittsboro, NC and WNC. She worked as a social worker and a supervisor in children’s services, a mental health therapist, a court advocate and currently, with RAPC. Her passion is in ensuring that all children have opportunities to reach their full potential and to find joy in life in achieving their individual goals. She believes that families and their unique attributes and strengths, should be at the center of planning and decision making related to the systems and programming that affect their lives.

Janice earned bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and Social Work from Albany University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University as well as a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University. She considers some of her best education to have come from early reading of books like The Lord of the Rings and The Many Colored Lands series.

Janice believes that by acknowledging our connection to all living creatures, by appreciating, every day, the gifts of the earth and by recognizing the connectedness that exists among us all, we have the potential to be and become better human beings. Her early development was shaped by time spent exploring woods, swimming, bike riding and ice skating, where she discovered the life-giving energy of the natural world. She continues to love hiking and spending time outdoors.