Tracking Early Literacy Initiatives
Collaborative efforts among partners of the Early Literacy Work Group continue to encourage early language development and children's exposure to books. Under the leadership of Thompson's Child Development Center, area child care agencies participated in March Madness for Reading, a family reading awareness and promotion initiative. Also, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, First Book Charlotte and CMS Parent University partnered this spring to host Family Literacy Workshops at West Boulevard Library. Workshops engage caregivers and children with picture book walks, musical letters and literacy manipulatives using the Every Child Ready to Read 2 early literacy curriculum. In support of both initiatives, First Book Charlotte provided approximately 1000 books. The group intends to expand these efforts and develop a community plan for early literacy in the next several months.
Encouraging language skills in everyday activities and providing a literacy rich environment is critical to school readiness and is associated with academic success. Ideas for families to encourage language development and early reading skills are available in this booklet: A Child Becomes a Reader from the National Institute for Literacy.
The landmark Hart-Risley study shows that by age three, there is a 30 million word gap for economically disadvantaged children based upon their language experiences and interaction in their family settings. For more documented facts about the importance of early literacy refer to the LKC Early Literacy Fact Sheet.
Advocacy for Homeless Children
Meeting the basic needs of young children is essential to ensuring school readiness. To that end, the LKC has convened a group of homeless services providers and faith partners to more effectively align services for homeless children and advocate on their behalf. This collaborative group, Casseroles & Beyond, is implementing several strategies, including better coordination between faith partners and housing agencies. Recently, the group hired Kaity Scruggs as an outreach coordinator. In addition, best practice research on rapid re-housing models will be compiled to inform each agency's service delivery models. Check out Solve the Puzzle Charlotte to learn more about our community's collective effort to end homelessness and ways to volunteer.
Evidence Based Practice Registries
Conducted literature review and compiled a matrix reviewing: Evidenced Based Early Literacy Interventions.
Mental Health Services for Toddlers Exposed to Trauma
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services - Women's Commission division was awarded a 2 year grant from the Office of Violence Against Women geared toward providing direct services to children exposed to domestic violence.
Funds will go towards a full time position to provide developmentally appropriate counseling, support and case management to children ages 2-4 years exposed to domestic violence old as well as provide parenting support to the non-offending parent. Additionally this position will fund a half time children's advocate / counselor at the UFS Shelter for Battered Women as well as a weekend advocate to assist in sheltered children's needs over the weekend. The advocate / counselor position will provide developmentally appropriate counseling, support and case management to children 3-18 that have been exposed to domestic violence.
