Be Ready By 5 Common App

At the 2025 Readiness Summit, Debbie Feldman, President and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital, introduced a new community initiative, Be Ready by 5. This initiative of 20+ partner organizations is focused on helping families connect with programs and services, a one-stop shop and eligibility screener for state and local early childhood programs.

Over the past year we developed the first phase of what we call the “Common Application” or QuickApply for local early childhood programs. When one completes the eligibility screener, it gives the option to Quick Apply - for resources such as home visiting programs run by Help Me Grow Brighter Futures, for Head Start, Preschool Promise, getting a Library Card, and signing up for Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The long-term goal is to integrate state-run programs such as Publicly Funded Child Care and SNAP.

Have young children or know someone who may benefit? Visit bereadyby5.org