Wilkes County became a Smart Start site in September of 1994 under the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children Board of Directors with the mission to develop services for children before they enter Kindergarten that will prepare them to be healthy and ready to succeed. By 1995: health screening had begun in collaboration with the Health Department and purchase of the MESH unit; the first Family Resource Center in collaboration with Wilkes Community College and Goodwill Industries began in the old Spainhour building in downtown North Wilkesboro, and Wilkes Community Partnership for children began working with local Child Care providers to build a strong foundation to quality child care (safe playgrounds were a priority, and improving environmental learning).

Laura Gentry Welborn started as the Executive Director in 1994 and has remained in this position for over 10 years. Laura has a Bachelors of Science in nursing, a Masters degree in Social Work, a fellowship from UNC in Early Childhood Leadership Development and a Duke Non profit Management certificate.