Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage
Supported by the Kent County Ready by Five Millage
Ready by Five in Kent County
In 2022, Ready by Five provided more than 12,400 young children and expectant parents from every zip code in Kent County access to programs focused on healthy development, early learning, and family support. Thousands more received information and resources about early childhood development.
The millage is funded by a .25 mill property tax increase that generates about
$37 million in total
Ready by Five Programs
Ready by Five supports 18 community-based organizations that provide 32 different early childhood programs, including:
- Prenatal support
- Developmental screenings to identify potential delays and disabilities
- Assistance navigating the early childhood system
- Home visits that support caregivers
- Play and learn groups, which help develop language and learning skills
- Elimination of hazardous substances, like lead, from homes
- Intensive therapy for children dealing with behavioral health issues
- Books for families to support reading at home
Ready by Five complements state and federal funding, generating about $7.7 million a year to expand access to early childhood programming. It costs the owner of a home valued at $300,000 about $37.50 annually, or $3.13 per month.
- Voter Information
- Millage Impact
- Funding Opportunities
Voter Information
The Ready by Five Millage is now up for a .25 mill vote on the August 6, 2024 ballot. If renewed, the millage would be in place for another six years. More information on where to cast a ballot, absentee voting, and early voting can be found on Kent County’s website.
To register to vote, visit Michigan's website.
Ballot Language
SHALL KENT COUNTY LEVY 0.25 OF ONE MILL, WHICH EQUALS 25 CENTS PER $1,000 OF THE TAXABLE VALUE ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2030, INCLUSIVE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, EVALUATING, AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO PERSONS THROUGH AGE 5 AND THEIR PARENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CHILDCARE AND TO INCREASE PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABLE CHILDCARE? THE AMOUNT RAISED BY THE LEVY IN THE FIRST CALENDAR YEAR IS ESTIMATED AT $8,794,547.
