Utilizing Foster Grandparents to increase literacy during summer break
Abstract
During summer break Foster Grandparents from the Mexia State School Foster Grandparent Program partnered with local city libraries to provide reading programs for children with special reading needs. This assured continuous service hours for Foster Grandparents as well as positive benefits for children in the community. Larry Lynch submitted this effective practice in August 2004.Issue
Utilizing Foster Grandparents during the summer takes some additional planning but pays off not only in uninterrupted service hours, but also in positive benefits to the community in which the Foster Grandparents are placed.Action
According to the director, during summer break the Mexia State School Foster Grandparent Program partnered with local city libraries to provide reading programs for children with special reading needs. Effective practices included:- Foster Grandparents from the Mexia State School (MSS) Foster Grandparent Program partnered with two local city libraries -- Maffett Memorial Library in Groesbeck, Texas and Teague City Library in Teague, Texas.
- Librarians at each site provided appropriate books to match the ages of the participating children.
- Foster Grandparents worked with children to develop reading appreciation (pre-K), to assist children with physical handicaps, and help those with below standard reading skills.
- There were four Foster Grandparents at the two libraries in Limestone and Freestone Counties.
- Foster Grandparents were at the libraries five days a week, four hours a day.
- The number of children varied each day, with a minimum of one child each, maximum four children to a group with librarian supervision.
- Children varied in age from three to twelve.
Context
The Foster Grandparent Program is sponsored by Mexia State School, a state Intermediate Care Facility for persons with mental retardation. In 2004 there were 30 Foster Grandparents on the campus, working with children with multiple physical handicaps and teenage boys with mental retardation, deemed incompetent by the Texas Courts to stand trial for alleged crimes in the community.
In January 2004 there were 39 Foster Grandparents serving in Mexia, Teague and Groesbeck. Recruiting in neighboring counties helped build the program to its current September 2004 number of 51 Foster Grandparents. In 2004 the program expanded to include Foster Grandparents in Limestone, Freestone, & Navarro Counties with Head Start, Child Care, and ISD programs in Mexia, Corsicana, Kerens, Groesbeck, Teague, and Fairfield Texas.
Additionally, Foster Grandparents are waiting for a site in Mt. Calm-Hill County, and Cliftoon-Bell County, and the Foster Grandparent Program has signed an agreement with the Waco Center for Youth-McLennan County to set up a program as soon as they can recruit a Foster Grandparent there. According to the program director, the stated goal is to reach 60 Foster Grandparents by Jan 1, 2005.
Maffett Memorial Library is in Groesbeck Texas and Teague City Library is in Teague Texas. Both are rural farming and business communities. Groesbeck, Texas has a population of 4,291 (2001), and is located 100 miles south of Dallas on Hwy 14 in Limestone County. There are four schools, grades pre-K-12 and a Head Start Program. Teague, Texas has a population of 4,557, and is located 97 miles South of Dallas on Hwy 84 in Freestone County. Teague has four schools (pre K-12).
Outcome
- Foster Grandparents helped children improve their reading skills and worked with pre-school children to develop a love of reading.
- According to Shannon Bomar, librarian at the Maffett Memorial Library in Groesbeck, Texas, "The children loved the Foster Grandparents and looked forward to seeing them each day. It was obvious that children assisted by Foster Grandparents developed a love of books and reading."
- Foster Grandparents benefited by continued service hours throughout the summer and the opportunity to interact in a meaningful way with new children. The local community benefited from additional reading appreciation and skill improvement for children with special needs.
- The librarians were appreciative of the additional assistance provided by the Foster Grandparents and both libraries have requested they return in summer 2005. The Mexia State School Foster Grandparent director is planning to set up similar programs in other communities for summer 2005.
- Additionally, both libraries have agreed to work with the Foster Grandparents to present the "Good Knight Child Safety Program" to their communities during the winter.
- Local newspapers printed stories with pictures of Foster Grandparents, which helped to bring in new volunteers.
Posted On
September 9, 2004For More Information
Related Practices
Related sites
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services: Mexia State School