Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage
Supported by the Kent County Ready by Five Millage
Ready by Five in Kent County
The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage provides dedicated funding for programs to improve early childhood health, learning, and well-being. Every year, more than 10,000 children ages five and younger and their families participate in community-based programs funded by the millage. Kent County voters overwhelmingly (59% to 41%) renewed the millage for another six years in August 2024, after first approving it in 2018.
The millage is funded by a .25 mill property tax increase that generates about
$48 million in total
Ready by Five Programs
Ready by Five supports community-based organizations that provide around 30 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 $8 million a year to expand access to early childhood programming.
- Funding Opportunities
- Millage Impact
- Millage Goals
Funding Opportunities
The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funds programs and services aimed at improving the health and school readiness of children aged five and younger. Funding opportunities will be posted here on March 31, 2025.
The Request for Proposals and Continuation of Funding forms are now open. These are due May 14 at 3 p.m.Learn more about 2025-26 Funding Opportunities.
e-CImpact is First Steps Kent's online system for managing the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage process annually. Agencies will submit applications through e-CImpact.
