Cape May Court House, NJ – Middle Township Public Schools will expand early childhood literacy access after securing a $40,000 state grant to deliver books, resources, and support directly to families with young children before they enter kindergarten.
The district recently received the Literacy Initiative for Families and Thriving Communities (LIFT) Grant, a competitive New Jersey program aimed at strengthening early literacy and improving school readiness among children from birth to age 3.
Taking literacy beyond the classroom
The funding will support the district’s initiative, “Literacy Where Families Are,” which focuses on meeting caregivers in everyday community settings rather than waiting until children enter school.
District officials say outreach will take place in pediatric offices, local businesses, and community events—spaces where families already spend time—making literacy support more accessible and practical.
“This grant allows us to meet families where they are and support early literacy development before children even enter school,” said Dr. Toni Lehman, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Middle Township Public Schools. “By providing resources and guidance directly to caregivers, we are strengthening the foundation for lifelong learning and helping ensure that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.”
What the grant provides to families
The $40,000 award will fund the distribution of age-appropriate books, literacy kits, and hands-on strategies designed to help parents and caregivers build early language and reading skills at home.
The initiative targets a critical developmental window—birth through age 3—when early exposure to language and reading has a measurable impact on long-term academic outcomes.
In addition to supporting young children, the program also creates leadership opportunities for older students. High school participants will serve as “Literacy Ambassadors,” assisting with outreach efforts while gaining community service experience and communication skills.
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Key Points
• Middle Township Public Schools received a $40,000 state LIFT grant
• Program targets children from birth to age 3 with books and literacy support
• Outreach will take place in community spaces like pediatric offices and events
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Team effort behind the initiative
District leaders credited a group of educators at Middle Township Elementary School #1 for helping drive the literacy effort forward. Pam McCabe, Emily Lattimore, Katie Taylor, and Sara Huang were recognized for their roles in shaping and advancing early literacy programming across the district.
The initiative builds on existing efforts while expanding its reach beyond school walls, reflecting a broader shift toward family-centered education strategies.
Why early literacy investment matters
Research consistently links early literacy exposure to improved kindergarten readiness, stronger reading proficiency in elementary school, and better long-term academic performance.
By focusing on caregivers as partners in education, the district aims to address learning gaps before they emerge in a classroom setting—an approach increasingly adopted by school systems nationwide.
The inclusion of community-based outreach also helps remove barriers such as transportation, time constraints, and access to educational materials, which can limit participation in traditional school programs.
What happens next
The “Literacy Where Families Are” program is scheduled to launch in the upcoming school year, with Middle Township Public Schools preparing to begin outreach and distribution of resources as grant funding is implemented.
