The Resident Proposal Review Board
Deciding how the Ready by Five Early Childhood millage funding is spent is no small task. Supported by Kent County taxpayers, it is important residents have a key voice in how the Ready by Five Early Childhood millage money is allocated. Those important decisions fall to the Resident Proposal Review Board (RPRB) — a diverse group of nine community members from across Kent County. The Resident Proposal Review Board is a neutral entity that reviews proposals from service providers and makes recommendations about which programs and services should be funded.
Four seats on the RPRB are reserved for parents who are central to the decision-making process. In June 2022, First Steps Kent put out a call for involved, passionate parents of children aged five and younger from all corners of Kent County. Eighty parents responded, submitting applications in which they explained their background, their children, experience using early childhood services, and why they would be a good addition to the group. The four parents selected come from different parts of Kent County and represent the diversity of the community. They include Jake Bates, Tiffany Clarke, Rachelle McKissick-Harris, and Monique Vasquez. We also have two parent alternates, which include Millie Martinez and Shelley Hill.
Other members of the Resident Review Board include:
- Lynne Ferrell, Program Director for the Frey Foundation, representing the First Steps Kent Commission;
- Sandra Ghoston-Jones, Management Analyst with the Kent County Administrator's Office who has years of experience working with the Kent County Senior Millage;
- Carla Moore, Co-Chief Executive Officer of United Methodist Community House (UMCH). Carla has been vital to the growth of UMCH's early childhood work and community outreach;
- and Kent County Commissioners Phil Skaggs and Monica Polk-Sparks.
Members of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Resident Proposal Review Board will serve in terms of up to two years.
