Outreach and Navigation

Not knowing what’s available or where to look for help is what often keeps families from getting the support they need. Outreach and Navigation removes the barrier of the unknown and helps connect families to early childhood programs and other community resources.

It begins with intentional outreach, often during pregnancy or right after the birth of a baby. It can also come a little later in the parenting journey; there’s no wrong time to ask questions or seek support. Navigators work one-on-one with families to talk about their unique needs and often provide a formal screening. Once the needs are identified, they walk alongside families to help them get the information, resources, and programming that will help their young children thrive.

In 2023, Ready by Five Millage funded three Outreach and Navigation programs that reached families in all Kent County zip codes. Agencies provided more than 7,200 screenings in 2023, resulting in 4,504 referrals to a wide range of resources and programming.

Recognizing many of the systems that families are trying to navigate are complex and confusing, Ready by Five Outreach and Navigation professionals gather monthly to talk about what’s working to simplify the process of getting support. The coordinated approach helps ensure everyone is working together to address families’ needs, with a focus on those in the most under-resourced communities.

The top services requested were home visiting, assistance finding housing, and food access support.