The Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC) was created in response to a group of citizens concerned about the quality of life for children and families in the companion counties of Edgecombe and Nash in North Carolina. This group of citizens (parents, teachers, child care providers, school officials, human service agencies, and local business, government and religious leaders) had come together to seek new ways to create
innovative, collaborative and family-friendly services within the structure of existing services.
A decision was made to create a non-profit organization to carry out this plan and in 1993 the Down East Partnership for Children was incorporated. Community needs were identified and initial funding was sought. In December 1993 the Partnership received its first funding from the NC Division of Child Development to provide child care resource and referral services to help families locate child care.
In 1994, Nash and Edgecombe counties were chosen as a Smart Start site and DEPC was designated by the state as the local organization to coordinate the planning and allocation of these funds. This funding allowed the Partnership to begin developing and providing a variety of other quality services for young children and their families.
In 1965 the Partnership received Family Preservation Family Support funding from the NC Department of Human Resources. These funds helped the Partnership expand its services and programs to meet the needs of families with older children.
During the early planning, the decision was made that programs and services for children and families would be provided by the DEPC or funded through other agencies and organizations. The decision was also made to develop only programs that reflected a commitment to the Partnership's vision, mission and goals and that worked across agency and county lines.