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