A healthy start can make a life-long difference for a child. In Hays and Caldwell Counties, we know that the needs of our growing and diverse community start from day one. From the moment a child is born, every aspect of their life – from their nutrition to their interactions with caregivers and access to books – shapes the course of the rest of their life. That’s why Start Smart Hays & Caldwell, an assembly of concerned community members, has come together to help every child get a chance at a good start in life. Because starting kindergarten ready to learn is an important marker for future success, we have focused our energies on families with young children from zero to five years of age. Our coalition members provide a range of services to families from in-home parent education to health and wellness services. As a coalition we aim to share resources and best practices, and create awareness of and connect families to the resources they need to ensure their children are happy, healthy and successful in a thriving community.