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Born to Achieve—I Can Read!*

Parent training for reading instruction at home.

Who will benefit?

Low-income families with children aged birth to five.

Project Highlights:

To correct the gap in school readiness due to economic disparity, the WVU School of Medicine will employ pediatricians and related healthcare staff to promote literacy to low-income parents of children aged birth to five. Historically, pediatricians have been the first point of contact for parents, and parents value their recommendations. This pilot will train pediatric staff at four clinics. During birth to five wellness visits at these clinics, care providers will distribute books and suggest reading strategies emphasizing vocabulary acquisition. Clinicians will write “prescriptions” urging caregivers to read aloud to children every day, and upon conclusion of the visit, children will select developmentally appropriate books which will contain parent friendly information sheets.

Collaborative Partners: Monongahela County Health Department Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), WVU Pediatric Clinic in Monongalia County, Cardinal Pediatric Clinic and Mid-Ohio WIC in Wood County, the WVU School of Medicine.

Funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.