Advocating for Kent County's Littlest Voices

In 2024, First Steps Kent leaned more intentionally into the policy space to protect and sustain the progress made for young children and families. With the national and local political landscapes shifting, it became clear that policy engagement was essential. As the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage came up for renewal on the August ballot, First Steps Kent amplified its advocacy work to ensure voters understood what was at stake for the future of Kent County’s youngest residents.

Throughout the year, we took bold stands to defend values central to our mission—equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our voice remains clear: Every child in Kent County deserves opportunity, regardless of background, ability, or zip code.

Following the November election, First Steps Kent convened providers, parents, and community leaders to reflect and prepare for any changes to our collective work. The conversation, titled "Vision Forward" highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration, legislative advocacy, and local strategies to safeguard programs like Head Start, Early On, and tuition-free preschool. We examined workforce challenges, threats to early intervention funding, and disruptions to DEI efforts. We also connected early childhood success to broader issues like housing, healthcare, food access, and transportation.

A key outcome: clarity around the role First Steps Kent must play in providing direction, advocating for bipartisan solutions, and ensuring policies serve all children. Participants voiced strong support for building a policy roadmap—rooted in community needs, informed by data, and focused on equity.

As we move forward, we are committed to expanding our advocacy, empowering parents, and investing in partnerships that make lasting impact. Policy is where change becomes permanent, and First Steps Kent will be at the table.