Posted: 1/13/2016
Programs encourage parents to read to, with their children
Patients throughout Parkland are beginning a lifelong journey filled with books thanks to two programs underway in the hospital and its network of community-based health centers.
The Dallas Public Library and Friends of the Dallas Public Library, in collaboration with Parkland, have launched Books for Dallas Babies. Beginning Jan. 1, all mothers who deliver at Parkland Memorial Hospital will receive a copy of “Read to Me,” written by Judi Moreillon, PhD, associate professor in the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University. The book, written in English and Spanish, and English and Vietnamese, encourages mothers to read to their children from birth. In fiscal 2015, 10,180 babies were delivered at Parkland.
“This is a brilliant example of the powerful community partnerships that Parkland likes to enter into that have never ending value for the patients it serves,” said Donna Persaud, MD, Parkland’s Chief of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Community Medicine Division. “Giving a precious book to a new mom with a new baby is a gift that keeps on giving by providing the possibility of a better life through literacy promotion.”
In addition, Parkland is continuing its Reach Out and Read efforts. A national literacy program, Reach Out and Read was founded in 1999 and since then Parkland has provided a new, age-appropriate book for each child age 6 months to 5 years after each visit to one of its Community Oriented Primary Care health centers. Books are offered in English, Spanish and bilingual and in fiscal 2015 more than 9,700 books were distributed to children at several of Parkland’s health centers. As part of the program, physicians and nurses offer guidance to parents about the importance of reading aloud with their children every day.
“We encourage parents to read to their children in order to prepare them for school and to help elevate their literacy levels,” said Rosie Hernandez, Parkland’s Reach Out and Read coordinator. “By reading together it motivates the kids to keep reading and it helps those parents who may have struggled with their own reading skills. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Reach Out and Read is currently implemented in 275 clinics, hospitals and active military installations across Texas, reaching 310,000-plus children and their families by distributing nearly 376,000 books annually.