FirstSpark, formerly Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula, recently announced a partnership with StepAhead to implement short-message text messaging services (SMS) to communicate with families with young children in Ready Region Chesapeake Bay. The region is one of nine Ready Regions established to support quality early childhood education initiatives in the Commonwealth and includes the Northern Neck and the Upper, Middle and Lower Peninsulas. The Rappahannock Record reports families that sign up for the program will receive about four texts per month with short messages about child development resources, local event opportunities, or activity ideas for children. The texts enable families to quickly access information and take needed action.