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GRBJ: Kent mulls over childhood millage

Six-year childhood millage would help fund a gap in prevention and early intervention services.
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Kent County is considering whether residents will vote on a six-year millage to support early childhood development services.

First Steps Kent, a public-private partnership that works to strengthen and coordinate early childhood services in Kent County, is requesting the millage for 2018-24 to help fund a gap in prevention and early intervention services.

The organization did an analysis in 2017 of gaps in services and funding the millage would benefit.

Those gaps mean more than half — about 22,000 — of Kent County children eligible for early childhood development services are not receiving those services.

The millage would allow the county to levy 0.25 of a mill, which is equal to 25 cents per $1,000 of the taxable value on all real and personal property subject to taxation.

The first year’s amount levied is estimated at $5.7 million.

With a median home value of $181,000 and a median taxable value of $100,000, the median cost to taxpayers would be $50 per year, according to county officials.

The majority of funding would be used to provide families in Kent County with programs and services to improve young children’s health, social and emotional development, and school readiness.

About 4.5 percent of the funding would support effectiveness, accountability and coordination of the early childhood system, including evaluation, data alignment, quality improvement and capacity building.

The programs and services the millage would support are outlined in Kent County Community Plan for Early Childhood, developed in 2011 by First Steps and local partners. Programs to be funded do not include preschool or child care because of current state discussions and other collaboration.

To read the full story, pick up the Grand Rapids Business Journal, or visit their website.

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