Virginia Beach GrowSmart is giving kids a strong start through reading, play, and early learning programs that also support families and teachers.

“This is truly a crisis because two-thirds of our children in this country are reading below grade level,” said filmmaker and director Jenny Mackenzie. “We have to decide, do we have the political will to stand up and say ‘Enough?’ This is a huge issue and it is continuing to perpetuate systemic racism because we are leaving Black and Brown children behind?”

"Investing in our youngest citizens at birth and continuing to do so throughout their school years makes smart economic sense," says Virginia Beach GrowSmart coordinator Barbara Lito.

Parents and coordinators reflect on the success of Virginia Beach's LENA Start program as it celebrates its third year.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the team in Virginia Beach knew that they couldn’t afford to wait to transition to virtual programming for families and teachers.

Taking LENA Start classes helped the Ochoa family learn to connect with their children in new ways.

Five cities have been selected to replicate Providence Talks — one of the first early language initiatives implemented at the municipal level — with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.