Ready by Five in 2023

With the completion of the first “term” of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage just months away, the early childhood landscape in Kent County looks very different than it did six years ago. In November 2018, voters decisively approved the millage, making Kent the first county in Michigan with public funds dedicated solely to young children and their families. The original millage expires at the end of 2024, with a renewal on the ballot in August.

So what has changed?

  • In 2023, more than 13,600 young children and expectant parents participated in community-based programs that would not have been available to them without the millage. That’s an increase of 1,200 participants from 2022. All programs that receive millage funding must provide evidence they improve outcomes for children.
  • Since the onset of the millage, consistent data is being collected countywide to tell us who is being served. Data about the demographics and geography of the children and families participating in early childhood programming is used to identify gaps and direct resources where they are needed most. As children who’ve participated in millage-funded programs enter kindergarten, Ready by Five evaluators will be able to track their readiness compared to similarly situated children who did not participate.
  • There is now an early childhood Outreach & Navigation Network in the community, funded by the millage. This network connects families to evidence-based programs and other community resources. Outreach & Navigation providers navigated more than 1,800 families in 2023, meaning they connected them to programs and services that best meet their needs. Thousands more received information about early childhood. The network is being extended in 2024 to include child care navigation.

By the Numbers

  • The top five referrals in 2023 were for home visiting programs, housing support, food access, baby supplies, and transportation.
  • Provided behavioral health consultation for children enrolled in 44 early education classrooms throughout Kent County.
  • Through Ready by Five's Reach Out & Read program, 31,200 developmentally appropriate books were delivered at pediatric well child visits.
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