Ready to Learn Expands Early Learning Support in Rockford

October 27, 2025

Original coverage in the Rockford Register Star by Abreanna Blose (subscription required)

Alignment Rockford has secured a $49,000 subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois to enhance early childhood coordination efforts in the Rockford area and Winnebago County.

The funding will support Alignment Rockford's Ready to Learn initiative, which aims to create a connected and equitable early learning ecosystem, according to a community announcement.

The initiative partners with various sectors, including education, healthcare, housing and community organizations, to improve early learning access, increase family engagement and align community strategies for children from birth to age five.

The funding will support community events, expand early learning resources, and strengthen partnerships to reach more families with developmental support. The organization will also continue to advance communication and collaboration among early childhood providers to address the childcare crisis in the region, according to the announcement.

Alignment Rockford has also been selected to receive support from EduDream, a Latina-founded, women-owned and equity-focused research consulting firm that partners with nonprofits. EduDream will help develop an online data dashboard that will track outcomes, equity indicators and the long-term impact of early learning.

The EduDream project aims to provide a valuable tool for community partners, funders and policymakers to identify where resources are making the greatest difference and where additional supports are needed.

"Ready to Learn has become a model for how community partnerships can move the needle for children and families," Emily Klonicki, executive director of Alignment Rockford, said in the announcement.

Hannah Miro of Illinois Action for Children expressed similar sentiments, highlighting Alignment Rockford's commitment to using data to build community partnerships and capacity.