The program has secured over $10,000 in funds to purchase reading materials. The books are distributed to children aged six months to five years during well child visits. Parents receive a "prescription" to read to their children. Community donations also allow staff to provide "gently used" books to all children who come to the clinic.
Local support from organizations such as the Port St. Lucie Business Women, American Legion, County Library and US Marine Corps "Toys for Tots Program" also enabled the CHD to distribute additional books to children at several special events. These included "Reading Chasracter Day" held in October and the Annual Holiday Fair in December.
Well child care has come to include safety, injury prevention, behavioral pediatrics, language development, school readiness and functionality. Unless a child attends a Pre-K program, doctors and nurses are often the only professionals trained in child development that many families have regular contact with before their children begin school. These practitioners have a unique opportunity to reach, interact, and support parents during their child's critical formative years.
For more information on the Early Literacy program, contact Helga Snure at (772) 873-4925. |
