United Way in Cobb County hosted a Get Ready to Read! lunch and learn event on Thursday, March 27 at the South Cobb Recreation Center. Get Ready to Read! is a program of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and Smart Start Georgia. It is an early literacy program designed to help parents and childcare professionals ensure young children are equipped with the skills for learning to read. The goal of Get Ready to Read! is to screen children for pre-reading skills before they enter kindergarten and provide skill-strengthening activities to ensure their reading success.

“What makes this tool different from others is that parents are able to assess their own child and by doing the included activities bring their child’s skill level up to where it needs to be,” said Ray Knott, associate area director of United Way in Cobb County. “It doesn’t matter if the child is cared for by an aunt, neighbor or at a childcare center, tools such as Get Ready to Read! make early childhood education tools available to anyone.”

The event was attended by representatives from Cobb County Library System, Cobb County Public Schools, churches,

community organizations and parents. Cobb County Commissioner Annette Kesting, District 4, also attended.

"Early (childhood) learning is critical. It is great for the community. It gets parents involved. When they understand early learning. It enhances the community," said Commissioner Annette Kesting said.

Get Ready to Read! training and materials is available to organizations including parent groups, churches, libraries and schools. Currently, the program can be delivered at no cost. For more information, please contact Ray Knott at the United Way in Cobb County office at 404.526.8465.

For more than a century, United Way has continued to mobilize people in our community to help tackle the issues that are too big for anyone to solve alone. What makes United Way unique is how it helps our community work together to make a lasting impact on tough community problems that take all of us to solve. United Way in Cobb County invests in programs and services that make a measurable impact on key community issues like ending chronic homelessness and ensuring children start school ready to succeed. To find or give help, dial 2-1-1 or visit us online at unitedwayatlanta.org/cobb.