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Board approves $25,000 Read Ready Newport partnership grant to expand early-literacy outreach
Summary
The commission authorized a gift agreement with Educate NKY and accepted a planning grant to support Read Ready Newport, a city-backed early-literacy initiative that includes Footsteps2Brilliance access, Imagination Library sign-ups and local activation events. The board approved the agreement unanimously.
The Board of Commissioners on Monday authorized a gift agreement and accepted grant funding from Educate NKY to support the Read Ready Newport initiative, approving a planning grant that includes a $15,000 flexible-use portion and $10,000 earmarked for branding and outreach. The vote was unanimous by roll call.
Read Ready Newport is a city- partnered early literacy initiative focused primarily on prenatal-to-age-5 readiness, city staff and partners said. The planning grant will fund outreach, enrollment in programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and expanded access to the bilingual literacy app Footsteps2Brilliance (the staff referred to the enrollment website myf2b.com).
Why it matters: City and community leaders said kindergarten readiness lags among young children who are not yet connected to school-based services. The initiative is intended to coordinate existing early-childhood assets across providers, grow volunteer and partner participation, and bring services into neighborhoods — with an emphasis on families with children from birth to age 5.
Program details: City staff said an event earlier in the week drew roughly 200 attendees and enrolled about 109 families; staff reported 520 units (books) were distributed at the kickoff. Educate NKY provided a $25,000 package for the planning phase: $15,000 flexible funding and $10,000 for branding and outreach. The board was told the Footsteps2Brilliance app covers children across participating zip codes and is bilingual (English/Spanish).
Partners and outreach: Educate NKY’s Jenny Watson and city staff described efforts to sign new parents up at hospital discharge and to activate a West Side early-learning space at the Make It Rain building. Staff said about 12–15 community partners will support the launch committee and outreach; city staff emphasized coordination among service providers, schools and volunteers.
Board comment: Commissioners praised the kickoff event and urged continued partnership and outreach, with several officials noting the importance of city-led coordination for reaching families who are not yet in public school systems.
Votes and next steps: The board authorized the mayor to execute the agreement with Educate NKY. Staff said they will continue to build the steering committee, use grant funds for outreach and report back on enrollment and program activities.
