Ensuring Every Child in Rock County
Is Prepared to Succeed
Ensuring Every Child in Rock County
Is Prepared to Succeed
Literacy for Life leads and coordinates countywide early learning efforts so children enter kindergarten ready to thrive.
Who We Are
Literacy for Life is a countywide early learning backbone organization focused on supporting children from birth through age five by strengthening families and aligning community efforts.
Mission
Ensure every child in Rock County is prepared to succeed upon entering Kindergarten, fostering their readiness through dedicated parent support.
What Literacy for Life Does
Literacy for Life provides leadership, coordination, and long-term strategy
for early learning across Rock County.
We:
- Lead and coordinate countywide early learning initiatives
- Engage donors, funders, and community leaders
- Collect data and measure impact
- Oversee strategy and long-term sustainability
- Serve as the backbone organization for The Basics in Rock County
Our Approach to Early Learning
Early learning happens everywhere – at home, in child care, in healthcare settings, in businesses, and throughout the community. Literacy for Life’s work is guided by three core building blocks
Making Early Learning Visible and Valued
We elevate the importance of early brain development so families and the community understand that learning begins at birth – and that everyday moments matter.
Uniting the Community to Champion Early Learning
We bring together partners across sectors to align efforts, share responsibility, and build a stronger early learning system.
Providing Families with Tools and Opportunities
We connect families with simple, research-based tools and resources they can use in everyday routines.
The Basics
(Core Framework)
The Basics in Rock County
The Basics are five simple, powerful principles grounded in brain science that help families support their child’s development from birth through age five.
The Five Basics
Maximize Love, Manage Stress
Talk, Sing, and Point
Count, Group & Compare
Explore Through Movement & Play
Read and Discuss Stories
Literacy for Life’s Role
Literacy for Life serves as the backbone organization for The Basics in Rock County—coordinating partners, sharing data, and expanding access so families encounter The Basics wherever they live, learn, and play.
Basics Insights Text Messages
Free, research-based tips delivered straight to your phone to support your child’s learning through everyday moments.
Read Talk Play
Everyday
Read Talk Play
Everyday
Read Talk Play Every Day is a countywide early learning initiative supported by Literacy for Life that encourages families and caregivers to build strong brains through everyday moments – by reading, talking, and playing with young children.
Why It Matters
Simple daily interactions help children develop language, social-emotional skills, and school readiness long before they enter Kindergarten.
How It Connects
Read Talk Play Every Day brings The Basics to life through community partnerships, family resources, and shared messaging across Rock County.
Learn More
Explore family activities, community resources, and ways to get involved.
Early learning is a community effort. Families, organizations, and community leaders all play a role in helping children thrive.
- Partner with Literacy for Life
- Sign up for our monthly Read Talk Play Every Day newsletter
Read Talk Play Every Day is a countywide early learning initiative supported by Literacy for Life that encourages families and caregivers to build strong brains through everyday moments – by reading, talking, and playing with young children.
Why It Matters
Simple daily interactions help children develop language, social-emotional skills, and school readiness long before they enter Kindergarten.
How It Connects
Read Talk Play Every Day brings The Basics to life through community partnerships, family resources, and shared messaging across Rock County.
Learn More
Explore family activities, community resources, and ways to get involved.
Early learning is a community effort. Families, organizations, and community leaders all play a role in helping children thrive.
- Partner with Literacy for Life
- Sign up for our monthly Read Talk Play Every Day newsletter
Learn How to Become a Literacy for Life Partner
Our movement is growing! If you are a Rock County area organization, contact us below to learn more.
Our Funding Partners
Want To Support Our Grassroots Effort?
Jessica Austin
Director of Early Brain Development
Stateline Community Foundation
jessica@statelinecf.com
(608) 362-4228
Stateline Community FoundationStateline Community Foundation
jessica@statelinecf.com
(608) 362-4228
Bill Flanagan
Literacy for Life Chair
Beloit College
flanagan@beloit.edu
Stateline Community FoundationBeloit College
flanagan@beloit.edu
Tara Tinder
Executive Director
Stateline Community Foundation
tara@statelinecf.com
(608) 362-4228
Stateline Community FoundationStateline Community Foundation
tara@statelinecf.com
(608) 362-4228
For General Information : Please contact Jessica Austin at jessica@statelinecf.com or (608) 362-4228
