On Dec. 4, Encompass engaged in a county-wide literacy initiative with Achieve Brown County, joining community partners who share a deep commitment to supporting early learning in our region. Our Director of Curriculum, Stephanie Springer, and our Associate Executive Director, Jessica Gille, were proud to present how Encompass intentionally embeds literacy into everyday experiences, ensuring that children build the foundational skills they need to become confident, successful readers and to enter Kindergarten ready to read.
During our presentation, we highlighted the research-based practices we use to nurture early literacy—from rich language interactions and story-based play to phonological awareness, vocabulary development, and print-rich environments. We also shared what we know from both local data and national trends: strong early literacy experiences in Early Education and Care have a direct impact on Kindergarten readiness and long-term reading success.
Just as importantly, we explored how we can align our work with community partners to strengthen literacy outcomes for all children in Brown County. By coordinating efforts, sharing promising practices, and building consistent literacy-rich experiences across settings, our community can help every child develop the skills they need to thrive as readers—now and in the future.
