Monday, January 30, 2012

Lowcountry Literacy Roundtable

Lowcountry Literacy Roundtable

Location: Charleston County School District, 75 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Contact: Clara Heinsohn, clara_heinsohn@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: http://www.ccsdschools.com/StrategyPlanningPartnerships/CommunityOutreach/VolunteerServices/LowcountryLiteracyRoundtable.php

OVERVIEW
Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
The Lowcountry Literacy Roundtable is a coordinating group and clearing-house to focus community attention on the critical importance of high levels of literacy across the community. There is no charge.

Area(s) of Charleston County served:
We cover the entire area of the Charleston County School District.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Are services offered in any schools? Yes.
We don't actually work in the schools, but have activities we encourage the schools to do to promote literacy.

OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS
Do services include any non-school outreach to the community? Yes                  
Description of Outreach initiatives:
Each year we have a literacy fair where we distribute books to the community.

Population(s) directly served by organization:
0 to 2 years old
3 to 5 years old
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Parents/Caregivers

PARTNERSHIPS
Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?  Yes
We are always looking for partnerships to promote literacy.                     

VOLUNTEERS
Are there volunteer opportunities?  We use volunteers at our literacy fair.
Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :
Clara Heinsohn, 937-6506, clara_heisnsohn@charleston.k12.sc.us

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Reach Out and Read

‘Reach Out and Read’ Program
MUSC Children’s Emergency Department

Location: 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29414
Contact: Tressa Heinen, RN, heinentm@musc.edu

OVERVIEW 

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
Reach Out and Read gives out new age appropriate books to children ages 6 months to 5 years at each visit. Along with the book we give the parent information about the program and the importance of reading to children at an early age to promote school readiness. 

Area(s) of Charleston County served: All areas
SCHOOL PROGRAMS 

Are services offered in any schools? No
OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS 

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community? No            
Population(s) directly served by organization:

·         0 to 2 years old
·         3 to 5 years old
PARTNERSHIPS
Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes               
Partnering to better serve our population of families of underfunded children and to continue our programs
VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities? Yes
Volunteers have to register at the MUSC volunteer office for Reach Out and Read and they would read to children in our busy Emergency Department.

We also have a large event called Read and Romp to raise funds for the programs in the lowcountry. This event is once a year and we need many volunteers for set-up , break down and to do activities with the children participating. Volunteers for this do not need to register with MUSC.
Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :
Tressa Heinen, 843-224-7715, heinentm@musc.edu

Child and Family Development Center

Child and Family Development Center (CFDC)

Location: 3180 Thomasina McPherson Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29405
Contact: Carolyn J. Trammell, carolyn_trammell@charleston.k12.sc.us

http://www.ccsdschools.com/Schools/K12/child_family_development_center.php

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:

·         Early Head Start (birth-3)

·         Head Start (3-4)

·         Even Start Family Literacy Parent-Child Home Program (2-3 yrs)
Area(s) of Charleston County served:

·         North Charleston (Mary Ford, Chicora, Burns, Hursey, North Charleston Elementary attendance zones)
·         Charleston (Sanders-Clyde and James Simons attendance zones)

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools? No
OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community? Yes                  
Description of Outreach initiatives: Home Visitation program, family field trips
 
Population(s) directly served by organization:
·         0 to 2 years old

·         3 to 5 years old
ASSESSMENT
·         Ages and Stages

·         PPVT
PARTNERSHIPS
Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes               

Program continuation and expansion

Wando Community Education - CCSD

Wando Community Education – CCSD
Location: 1000 Warrior Way, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
Contact: Ashley Peters ashley_peters@charleston.k12.sc.us , Ralph Hayes ralph_hayes@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: http://www.charlestoncoce.org/index.aspx?NID=112

OVERVIEW
Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:
We provide after-school care for the eight elementary schools in Mt. Pleasant. Programs assist students with homework, we provide homework tutors, utilize the media centers and computers within our schools. Each program has developed literacy centers and provides daily literacy based activities.
·      All programs have: 
o   Literacy centers
o   Weekly themed literacy projects and games
o   Continual literacy based staff professional development
o   Homework assistance daily
o   Annual writing contests and spelling bees
o   Field trips to many educational facilities
o   Participation in national reading efforts (DEAR, Read for the Record, etc)
o   Guest speakers to promote literacy
o   Partnership with school administration and staff to target what to be focusing on during certain times of year
o   Partnership with CCPL that has allowed input to resources for staff
o   Bookmobile visits
·         Multiple summer camps
·         Co-sponsor of community events

o   Reading on the Circle
·        Participation in local community events that utilized literacy games for participants
o   Mt. Pleasant Children's Day Festival
o   Light's On event at Mt. Pleasant Farmer's Market
Area(s) of Charleston County served:
Mount Pleasant
 SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Are services offered in any schools? Yes
·         Belle Halle
·         Charles Pinckney
·         James B Edwards
·         Jennie Moore
·         Laurel Hill
·         Mt. Pleasant Academy
·         Sullivan's Island
·         Mamie P Whitesides
 2 pm-6pm during school year
7am-6pm during summer
 OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS
Do services include any non-school outreach to the community?   Yes                
Description of Outreach initiatives:
·         Hours and projects vary by site
·         Light's On Event (October, 5pm-9pm)
·         Guest speakers / reader varies

Population(s) directly served by organization:
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Parents/Caregivers
ASSESSMENT
Surveys for children, parents, Staff MOA with school principals
 PARTNERSHIPS
Interested in establishing a partnership with another organization/group?         Yes               
·         More ACTIVE literacy games /projects
·         More opportunities / avenues for community involvement
 VOLUNTEERS   
·         Volunteers needed to assist in the day-to-day activities of the program
·         Heavy parent involvement at programs as needed, few other volunteers currently
Volunteer coordinator’s contact information :
·         Ralph Hayes,843.881.8274, ralph_hayes@charleston.k12.sc.us

Friday, January 13, 2012

MUSC Family Literacy Program

MUSC Family Literacy Program

Website: http://www.musckids.com/reading/

OVERVIEW

Description of Group/Organization and programs offered which relate to improving literacy:

We provide two services:
1. Family Literacy: 12 single family sessions, one hour each, every other week. During these sessions parents learn how to do interactive early learning activities to promote school readiness. The Program Coordinator models activities and strategies and provides the parent an opportunity to practice. Sessions are held in an early learning classroom/playroom at the MUSC Children's Clinic in North Charleston. Activities include shared reading, crafts, puzzles, games, and imaginative play. The program is free and operates year round. Parents can enroll at anytime.  
2. Triple P Positive Parenting: This is a series of 4 30-60 minute consultations for parents who want help managing their child's mild to moderate behavior problems. Sessions are done with the parents only, by appointment. Sessions focus on 1-2 specific behaviors is not intended to be a general parenting class. The program includes reading and assignments to be done between sessions. Services are free. All services & materials are provided in English and Spanish.

Area(s) of Charleston County served :

We serve all residents of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Are services offered in any schools? No
OUTREACH AND IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS

Do services include any non-school outreach to the community? Yes

Hours: Clinic is open M-F 8:30-5:00pm

Description of Outreach initiatives:
Our clinic is open M-F 8:30-5:00pm and all services take place in the clinic. However, the Program Coordinator is available to assist in the promotion of literacy, school readiness, and positive parenting techniques in the community. In the past that has included being a guest speaker at adult education programs, groups of service providers, etc.
We will also do outreach at various locations to let families know about the services we provide here at the clinic/Family Literacy Program.
 
Population(s) directly served by organization:
0 to 2 years old
3 to 5 years old
Elementary School
2.5 years (30 months)-5 for Family Literacy. Up to age 12 for Triple P

ASSESSMENT
We use the PPVT-4 (English) and the TVIP (Spanish) to measure receptive vocabulary growth. We used the Bracken:SRA 3 to measure increases in basic concepts knowledge. We use the Ages & Stages Questionnaire to do developmental screening. We also have our own program specific questionnaires about home behaviors.
 
PARTNERSHIPS
We love working with organizations that low-income communities already know and trust as a way to outreach to new clients. Medical providers, churches, schools, and community centers typically fit that bill. We hope to partner more with libraries, schools, and early intervention programs (BabyNet) to help families we identify during our after their participation in our programs.

VOLUNTEERS

Are there volunteer opportunities?  
We can use volunteers but they must be bilingual in Spanish, pass a background check, and have experience working with low-income families. They may make phone calls, translate documents, create outreach materials, or assist with conducting literacy sessions with families.
Volunteer coordinator’s contact information : Kristen Coe, 843-876-2506, coekr@musc.edu