Stateline initiative urges Beloit leaders to embed early‑learning supports in city services

Jessica Austin, director of early brain development for the Stateline Community Foundation, told the Beloit City Council that early childhood supports delivered before age 5 produce long‑term community benefits and asked city leaders to champion a countywide initiative aimed at reaching families where they live.

Austin said Literacy for Life and the Read, Talk, Play Every Day initiative translate early brain development research into simple, everyday actions for caregivers and are already distributing materials and messages across Rock County. "85% of a child's brain development happens before they're 5," Austin said, framing the program as both a child development and community economic issue.

The program includes a free Basics Insights text service that sends a Monday developmental fact and a Wednesday activity for children from birth through age 5, Austin said, and has signed partnerships with more than 32 organizations. She told the council the initiative recently reached its first 1,000 enrolled families in Rock County and that roughly 400 of those families live in the 5351 ZIP code. Austin said hospitals in Rock County provide brain‑building tools to new parents, and the initiative is placing learning prompts on park signs and in waiting areas across Beloit.

Austin also praised the city’s planned Discovery Place at the Beloit Public Library as “an incredible asset,” but she warned that destination spaces alone will not reach all families. "Some families are overwhelmed juggling jobs, appointments and simply trying to get through the day," she said, arguing the city should pair destination investments with everyday touchpoints — on buses, utility bills and at service centers — to make learning moments accessible to more caregivers.

During a brief question-and-answer period, a council member asked for paper copies of program materials; Austin replied that full digital copies are available at readtalkplayeveryday.com and said she would provide printed brochures on request. She said the text messaging portion of Basics Insights is funded by the Stateline Community Foundation and that the initiative is exploring additional grant opportunities to expand outreach.

Austin closed by asking the council to publicly endorse the initiative, integrate its messaging into city communications and help embed early learning into the city’s strategic planning. "We already have the science. We already have the community partners and we already have families saying this helps," she said. "What we need now is you, your leadership and your voice."