Data & Progress
Flourishing is something a whole community builds, so we track it together. These are the measures First Steps Kent and our partners use to see whether Kent County is creating the conditions for every young child to flourish. Some are ready to share. Others are in progress, and we’ll add them as they’re ready.
Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage
In fiscal year 2025, Ready by Five providers
encounters completed
Millage Evaluation
An external evaluation by Basis Policy Research Group and Advancing Communities for Equity (ACE) is evaluating the implementation and impact of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage.
Understanding Early Childhood Funding in Kent County
How much is being invested in early childhood in Kent County, where is that funding going, and how does it compare with what children and families need? First Steps Kent partnered with national research organization Child Trends provide a clearer picture of where we are, what's changing, and where more investment is needed to ensure every young child has the opportunity to flourish.
The original 2024 report established a baseline for understanding the gap between available resources and community needs. (This is the actual fiscal map spreadsheet)
An updated 2026 report builds on that work, examining changes in funding, shifts in state and federal investments, and opportunities to strengthen the early childhood system.
RAPID Survey Project
First Steps Kent has partnered with Stanford University to bring the RAPID Survey Project to Kent County. It gathers ongoing information and caregiver voices, provides timely data to inform local policies and programs, and builds local capacity to turn what we learn into action.
