Photo courtesy of BLDG.

COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington and EducateNKY have formally agreed to transition Read Ready Covington into the broader Read Ready Network, creating a unified regional structure that supports city-based early-learning initiatives while preserving local leadership and community focus. 

The partnership formalizes a coordinated framework for implementing Read Ready Covington, the City’s place-based early childhood initiative serving children from prenatal through age five. The initiative focuses on improving kindergarten readiness by increasing participation in early learning programs, aligning service providers and community partners, and reducing fragmentation across early childhood services. 

Under the agreement, the Read Ready Network will serve as the backbone organization for Read Ready initiatives across Northern Kentucky, providing coordinated governance, shared data systems, operational support, and brand alignment. The City of Covington will retain a leadership role in shaping its local strategy, including representation on the Read Ready Network Board of Directors. 

“EducateNKY’s expansion of the Read Ready Network is a proud moment for Covington,” Mayor Ron Washington said. “Read Ready was created right here in Covington, born out of our community’s commitment to early literacy, family engagement, and opportunity for every child. Since launching in 2018, more than 6,000 Covington families have been supported through this city-built model, which is now being replicated across our region. Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and initiatives like Read Ready help ensure our students are prepared to meet the future needs of our community." 

Read Ready Covington was established in 2018 as a city-wide early literacy initiative focused on connecting families with resources and support to better prepare the City’s youngest learners for kindergarten. Its success has helped position Covington as a regional leader in early childhood collaboration and family engagement. 

“Covington helped lead the way in showing what’s possible when a city prioritizes early childhood and kindergarten readiness,” Cheye Calvo, CEO & President of EducateNKY, said. “What began as a local initiative has now grown into a regional movement. With all six River Cities now aligned through the Read Ready Network, we are building a coordinated system of support for children and families across our region. This is a major milestone for Northern Kentucky and a powerful example of what can happen when cities, schools, and community partners work together around a shared vision for early learning.” 

EducateNKY has worked to scale the Read Ready model while maintaining each city’s local identity and priorities. Together, the River Cities are creating a more coordinated early childhood ecosystem designed to better connect families with resources and strengthen long-term educational outcomes for children across the region.