Ready by Five

OUTREACH AND NAVIGATION connects expectant parents and families of young children to early childhood information, programming, and community resources. A primary objective of the Ready by Five millage is to increase engagement in evidence-based early childhood programs. Outreach helps families know what is available. Navigation removes barriers so they can access what they need and want.

Outreach & Navigation has created a large referral system both within the Ready by Five network (organizations that provide millage-funded early childhood services) and outside of it (organizations that aid with housing, food, employment, healthcare, and other needs). Last year, Ready by Five partner agencies made a total of 9,744 total referrals.

  • Kent ISD received the largest number of referrals–17 percent–primarily for families needing help finding child care and preschool.
  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was next with four percent of all referrals.
  • Hundreds of families were referred to suppliers of diapers and other baby equipment.
  • Home visiting is the most referred to early childhood services outside of early care and education.

Based on their unique needs and requests, families often receive multiple referrals. Increasing referrals within the network of Ready by Five-funded organizations is a high priority in the next year.

Organizations that provide Outreach and Navigation are Family Futures, Health Net of West Michigan, and Kent Intermediate School District.

HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT partners support access to comprehensive and coordinated care that optimizes physical and emotional health. Investments in Healthy Development programs lead to healthier pregnancies and births, earlier identification of delays and disabilities, safer and healthier home environments, stronger family bonds, and improved emotional well-being of young children.

KEEP, which stands for Keep Early Education Positive, is a Healthy Development program that hadn’t been available in Kent County for many years due to lack of funding. Ready by Five provided the financial resources to restore KEEP locally, making available critical infant and early childhood mental health services.

KEEP supports parents and caregivers by providing specialized mental health consultation when a child is having social-emotional and/or significant behavioral challenges in a center or home-based child care setting. KEEP uses strength-based clinical interventions and facilitates reflective discussions with teachers and caregivers, which helps children thrive in their early learning environment.

One mom, whose 4-year-old son was struggling with emotional regulation, impulse control, and being safe in his preschool classroom, says her son’s transformation has been remarkable thanks to the help of the KEEP team. “I am so happy with the progress he has made. He has really come a long way and is doing great” she shared.

Participation by service category in fiscal year 2024 breaks down as follows:

  • Outreach and Navigation: 2,300 individuals
  • Early Learning: 8,903 individuals
  • Healthy Development: 1,374 individuals
  • Parent Education and Support: 2,347 individuals
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