Community Health Services (CHS) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. CHS is committed to improving the health and well being of infants, children and youth through providing primary and preventative health services in partnership with schools and other community organizations. CHS' emphasis is preventive health care, health promotion and health education particularly to the high risk and underserved for children age's birth to 21, throughout Adams County. Currently we offer: well child checks, primary Care, immunization clinics, adolescent health care, Keep Me Safe Program (child passenger safety and home safety services), mental health care, sports physicals, health education classes, school nursing services, ADD/ADHD evaluations, assistance with the application for Medicaid, CHP+ or sliding fee scale.
The Books for Children program is an ongoing effort to promote literacy in the home. When a parent brings their child into our clinic for a well child check-up, a portion of that health visit is spent talking about the benefits of reading at home. Parents are encouraged to develop a daily routine of reading with their child. At the end of their health care visit, they leave with an age appropriate book for the child to keep and the message that reading is important. CHS gives books to children from six month old well baby check-up and continues through the elementary school ages.
CHS feels this is a very appreciated and necessary program in our community. Poor literacy skills have long been a factor in low socioeconomic status. Many of our families are single parents and the majority are very low income. Unfortunately books are often viewed as a luxury item for them. CHS likes to have a variety of age appropriate books in which children and their parents can choose from, including bilingual books.
Each of our health care providers feels the time spent discussing literacy with a parent and their child is just as important as immunizations, nutrition, safety and other topics important to a child's well being. One of the short-term effects of this program is that it promotes a positive and rewarding daily parent-child interaction. The long-term effects of literacy can be profound. Children exposed to books early in life are more likely to be better prepared for the school experience and the more educated a person is the more likely they will have better health into adulthood.
In the past we have funded our Books for Children program with small private donations i.e. our local Rotary Club and individuals. While CHS will always continue to educate our families about literacy our ability to offer books depends on available funds. We believe it has a lasting impact when a child's doctor or nurse practitioner spends time at every well child visit educating about the importance of reading then reinforces this by giving them a book of their own to take home and read.
A grant of $1,000 would provide many children with hours and hours of happy reading.