Early Language & Literacy Coalition Update |
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Let's Celebrate Read Across America Day! |
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Read Across America is an annual initiative launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA), to help get children excited about reading. Learning to read can be a hard daunting task for students. Read Across America Day (March 2nd) calls upon us all to take some time to engage youth in an interactive reading experience that they’ll enjoy and want more of. It is celebrated by schools, libraries, community members, and parents across the nation and in our community. It is currently the nation’s largest celebration of reading. Through this celebration, we hope to motivate local children and families to read through events, partnerships, and shared resources. Join us as we celebrate the love for reading by sharing stories with children throughout the Chattahoochee Valley.
- Dr. Seuss Virtual Storytime with Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, Ferst Readers, Georgia Strong Families, Literacy Alliance and The Basics Chattahoochee Valley -March 2nd at 10 am via Facebook and YouTube.
- Georgia Strong Families Storytime every Tuesday & Thursday at 10 am and 3 pm throughout the month of March
- Literacy Alliance’s Annual Book Parade with Columbus Housing Authority- March 27th from 11 am to 2 pm
- United Way will have a blend of in-person staff and virtual volunteer readers in select Title One Schools of Muscogee County, Russell County, and Phenix City schools on March 2nd
Let us know how your organization is celebrating Read Across America next month. We would be happy to highlight and share photos of your activities!
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Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month, where we celebrate and reflect on the African-American leaders, inventors, and trailblazers who have left their mark on our nation's history. Families of all backgrounds can enjoy reading about Black leaders and the tremendous things they have accomplished.
You can practice Read & Discuss Stories with your child by checking out some books from your local libraries and asking questions about why these historical figures are important. Give these books a try!
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in African American History by Vashti Harrison. Based on her popular Instagram posts, debut author and illustrator Vashti Harrison shares the stories of 40 bold African American women who shaped history. Available at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries and the Phenix City-Russell County Library.
- Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold. With Harriet Tubman as her guide, Cassie retraces the steps escaping slaves took on the Underground Railroad in order to reunite with her younger brother. Available at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries and the Phenix City-Russell County Library.
- A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler. A brief, illustrated biography of the Baptist minister and civil rights leader whose philosophy and practice of nonviolent civil disobedience helped Black Americans win many battles for equal rights. Available at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries.
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. For months six-year-old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of white parents when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. Available at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries and the Phenix City-Russell County Library.
For more tips on how to Read & Discuss Stories, check out our website at cv.thebasics.org. Happy reading!
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Ferst Readers in Russell County!
Ferst Readers of Russell County, Alabama is creating better learners, brighter futures, and stronger communities by providing children under the age of five access to quality books in their homes to develop critical early literacy skills so children begin school ready to learn.
Every month, children registered in the Ferst Readers program receive a new book and literacy resources delivered directly to their homes by mail. As a newly established chapter, the main goals are to register local children in the program and gain support for registrations.
Your help is needed, Ferst Readers is looking to register more youth in Muscogee and Russell counties. There is no cost to register or receive Ferst books. Please spread the news!
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Childcare Access Means Parents in School
The goal of CCAMPIS (Childcare Access Means Parents in School) is to increase access to post-secondary education to low-income parents by providing quality, affordable and accessible child care services while they further their education.
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Get Your Taxes Filed for Free
Every year, Goodwill provides free tax preparation services to the community through a partnership with the IRS. The program, known as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), recruits and trains volunteers to prepare free tax returns for households that earn less than $57,000 annually.
There are a few options on how taxes can be prepared; virtually, quick and easy drop off or schedule an appointment. Coming soon, there will be a DIY (Do it Yourself with assistance) option.
For more information, when to file or what documents to take, please visit the website.
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Accepting Applications
One of the ways we can ensure all children become proficient readers by the end of third grade is by filling seats in programs that promote early learning experiences. Children who participate in programs such as Head Start and Pre-K are better prepared for school and possess strong literacy skills. Thank you for viewing and sharing these flyers with the parents and caregivers you serve.
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Daily $500 PPE Giveaway
The Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning launched a Daily PPE Giveaway for child care programs in Georgia! At the end of each day, they will pick a winner and ship the provider a huge box full of PPE including digital thermometers, hand sanitizer, wipes, face tissues, baby wipes, disinfectant sprays, etc. Over $15,000 to give away!
Visit The Foundations Facebook Page for more information and how to participate and to win! |
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From Hello to Help, 211 is Here
On February 11th we celebrated 211 day! For seven years 211 has been committed to linking those in need to services and programs right here in our community. 211 provides free, confidential help with food, disaster assistance, crisis counseling, health care, housing, and more. Spread the word that 211 is here to help! Simply dial 211 or visit us online. |
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Evelyn "Mimi" Woodson (Spanish) |
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Free Parent Academy
As we continue to find resources and opportunities to build resiliency amongst the children and families we serve, please add this free training series to your list of items to share. The Center for Leadership in Disability, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, is hosting a Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy training series. Parent Academy is designed to help parents and caregivers understand, prevent, and replace persistent challenging behaviors of children ages 3-5 years old.
The next sessions are March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th and April 1st
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Contact Gereen Francis at [email protected] or 404-413- 9327. Share the flyer for additional training session dates. |
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Funding Opportunities
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) recently announced three separate Community Impact Grant opportunities for community-based organizations across Georgia. The grants were established to ensure that children from birth to age 5 have access to high-quality early childhood care and education, as well as other services and programs. Please visit their website to view individual grant information and applications.
Check out the new funding opportunities shared by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN). The mission of GNC is to build thriving communities by helping nonprofits succeed. GCN provides nonprofits, board members and donors with the tools they need to strengthen organizations such as grant seeking skills, professional development, and funding leads. |
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Supporting & Equipping Parents to Lead Change
This webinar displays how the panel of leaders support and equip parents to improve the quality of life for their children and lead change in education. To help ensure every child in the Chattahoochee Valley will thrive and achieve their full potential, we need to include parents in the decision-making process and help them harness their power. Please join to discover ways to empower and support parents to lead the way on learning loss recovery during this time of COVID.
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Home Buying 101
Georgia Strong Families & NeighborWorks Columbus will provide information on home buying education, budgeting to purchase a home, ways to save money, tips to improve your credit, and down payment assistance programs. Please share this information with your networks and the families that you serve. This event will take place on February 23rd at 1:30 pm. Participants are asked to register in advance for this training. See flyer for registration details
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We Want to Hear From You
Let us know what resources you find helpful and what you need more of. We’re here to listen, support, and strengthen our community! Email our team today.
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Common Agenda
The Early Language and Literacy Coalition works to create a community where all children thrive. Our collective impact approach supports, promotes, and complements community wide initiatives of Get Georgia Reading, The Basics Chattahoochee Valley, and Columbus 2025. We engage with a cross-sector of community partners to ensure all children become proficient readers by the end of third grade, paving the way to improved outcomes throughout school and life.
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Early Language and Literacy Coalition Background
Early Language and Literacy partners in the Chattahoochee Valley recognize that literacy is much more than an education issue. Our efforts to change long-term outcomes must begin early—long before children enter kindergarten. We are focused on the root causes of why a child might not be reading. Root causes include early brain development and language-rich interactions with infants and toddlers, school attendance, summer learning loss, and the influence of physical and mental health on all aspects of learning and development. Far too many children in our community lack access to quality health care, housing, nutrition, and
supportive learning environments. And far too many children experience the trauma of stress and violence in their homes and neighborhoods, inhibiting their ability to learn and grow. Children cannot learn when they are hungry, sick, or scared.
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