Roberta Malavenda is executive director of CDF Action, an organization that uses an asset-based community development approach, listening to residents and "turning ideas into action."   CDF and partners host an annual "Clarkston Tell Me A Story" cultural and language festival which this year drew more than 450 people and included a literacy table with free books, storytellers, a Baby Zone, plays, and more. CDF is currently working with the City of Clarkston to create an Early Learning Task force to create a strategic plan for literacy and early learning. Roberta previously served as a consultant with United Way of Greater Atlanta, deputy director of Quality Care for Children, and branch director for the DeKalb YWCA. She has presented her policy and community-based early learning work at national and state conferences.

Today, Malavenda will talk about  The READY School, an initiative of CDF Action, that is a free, half day, early learning and family engagement program that seeks to provide a culturally and literacy-rich environment where families can be engaged in their children's early learning and school transition.There are three READY Schools in the metro area - Stone Mountain, Clarkston and Norcross. The Clarkston READY School serves low-income children (Arabic speaking 3 to 4 years old) and their families in an apartment complex located in Clarkston. The goal is to ensure that children are healthy, safe, prepared for, and successful in school. Children learn self-help and socialization skills in a literacy-rich environment. Teachers speak both Arabic and English and speaking both languages is encouraged. Age and culturally appropriate screening tools will help assess each child's readiness for school as well as identify any potential developmental or other delays.