The SUNSHINE Project
The SUNSHINE Project provides services to children with developmental delays and challenging social/emotional behaviors by implementing appropriate plans and/or providing age-appropriate interventions. Technical assistance may include: training for childcare providers on child-specific needs and classroom strategies, specific diagnoses and disability issues, and consultation on individual child needs for successful classroom inclusion in Buncombe County.

In each year since 2006, 99% of children that have received support from the SUNSHINE Project have been able to stay in their childcare center that they were at risk of ask to leave because of their behaviors.  100% of the centers that the SUNSHINE Project has worked in have increased or maintained their STAR ratings.

The Sunshine Staff:

• Provides support, education and technical assistance to childcare providers and caregivers regarding children's individual needs.
  
  
• Assists families of children with disabilities in accessing high-quality childcare and other needed services in the community.
  
  
• Guide caregivers and childcare providers through the special education identification, evaluation and eligibility process.

Lunch and Learn Flyer

Lunch and Learn Request Form

Resources & Further Information

• Sunshine Project Referral Form and Consent Form
• Sunshine Project Brochure
• Preschool Checklist
• NC Division of Child Development: Childcare and other information
• American Academy of Pediatrics: An organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Sunshine Project staff:
• Emily Aderman Bell: emily.aderman@firstwnc.org
• Brooks Davis: brooks.davis@firstwnc.org
• Teresa Roberts: teresa.roberts@firstwnc.org

The Sunshine Project is a Preschool Intervention/Inclusion program funded by Smart Start of Buncombe County