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Children’s Literacy Programs and Projects The goal of Hennepin's Children’s Literacy Program is to give a book to every child that comes to Hennepin County Medical Center because literacy experiences are critical to a child’s healthy development. As part of our outreach activities we help other community organizations in their efforts to bring kids and books together.
Book Buddy Volunteer Readers – Volunteers read stories to pediatric patients waiting in the Outpatient Clinic Reception area during the day and in the Emergency Department (ED) waiting areas in the evening and on weekends. Reach Out and Read Program (ROR) – ROR is a national program, whose goal is to make literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care. Health care providers distribute developmentally appropriate books during well child visits for children aged 6 months through 5 years. Hennepin has been a Reach Out and Read site since February 2003, and has been instrumental in recruiting other sites to adopt the ROR model. In 2006, our Department of Pediatrics became the statewide hub for the ROR-Minnesota Coalition, housing both the program’s state coordinator and its medical director. Book Buddy Program – Staff distribute books to children during all non-ROR outpatient visits; provide books to inpatients and families with babies in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, as needed. Books are available for all ages, from babies through adolescents. Volunteers stock book supplies and help track and maintain inventory. Books for Babies Program – distributes the book Peek-a-boo! to every baby born at Hennepin; Sponsored for 2 years (2003-2005) by Verizon, it is now an integral part of our nursery. Nationally, books are available in English and Spanish. Hennepin ’s Literacy Program took the initiative to insert translated text into English books to create bilingual editions in Somali, Hmong, Oromo and French to ensure that almost every child born at Hennepin County Medical Center could be welcomed with a book in their home language. Go to www.mmaonline.net/publications/MNMed2004/July/Pulse.html and scroll down to “Translations…”] Volunteers make book packets and insert translated text. Children’s Channel – Channel 50 is our children’s book channel. It is on closed circuit TV, bringing unabridged, high-interest video editions of children’s books to reception areas and patient rooms throughout the hospital 24/7. Dentistry Book Program – Initiated and funded by dentists at Hennepin Care South that also work at Hennepin County Medical Center, provides books to pediatric patients during regularly scheduled dental visits. Sleep Clinic Book Program – Initiated and funded by Sleep Clinic faculty and staff; provides books to pediatric patients during Sleep Clinic visits. Well Bear, Brave Bear – A bilingual, English-Spanish, children’s book photographed at Hennepin to introduce young patients to well child care. Hmong Book Project – Coordinated by Hennepin ’s Literacy Liaison; books and supplies purchased with funds from the StarTribune Foundation and the Minnesota Literacy Council. Volunteers insert Hmong text into English board books for new refugee families. Go Read! literacy event – Founded by Hennepin County Medical Center Pediatrics in 2003, to highlight the importance of early literacy experiences for children, this event has evolved into Macy's Go Read! The festivities are sponsored by Macy's in partnership with The Neighborhood Forum, a collaborative of profit, non-profit and public institutions of which the Department of Pediatrics is a member. For information about the 2008 event, go to: www.millcitymuseum.org/goread/schedule.pdf. Volunteers are vital to the success of this popular event.
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