Ready Kids East County
Learn about how First 5 Contra Costa partners with organizations in East County to reform the systems and services available to African American and Black families to improve wellness and help address inequities that contribute to school readiness disparities.
The Ready Kids East County (RKEC) effort, a strategic public-private partnership that leverages funding from California’s Proposition 10 alongside philanthropic contributions, including from the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, launched in 2019 and ushered in creative programming, resources, and services available to Black families in East County.
This combined support enables First 5 Contra Costa to invest in and coordinate impactful programs and services that address disparities and promote equity for Black and African American families in East Contra Costa County.
Promoting Equity from Womb to Classroom
In 2025, we launched our next phase called “Womb to Classroom,” which seeks to support Black and African American families from pregnancy to school by connecting service providers to create “villages” that center Black families, and build stronger bridges over adversity “cliffs” such as the transition from early learning to a school district for Kindergarten. RKEC will support families by uplifting opportunities, creating networks, and cultivating pathways with cross-sector partnerships with the focus on building capacity for providers and families with Black and African American children, ages zero to five years old.
An incredible day in East County
In April, the Ready Kids East County Resource Fair brought together Black and African American families for a vibrant day of community, culture, and connection. The event served as a welcoming space for East County families to access essential early childhood resources—from pregnancy to Kindergarten—while enjoying hands-on activities and local food. Watch our highlight video below to witness the power of collaboration among families, service providers, and community leaders, to supporting families with young children.
Ready Kids East County is made possible by generous funding from the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation recently celebrated 30 years of being Rooted in Community to advance its mission by believing in the safety, security, and potential of every child, significantly investing in educational opportunities for those underserved, and offering the community the enrichments of the arts—see the celebration video below which includes ourReady Kids East County work.
