1. Muncie public library Brings early literacy into the home
Katie Lehman, MPL Early Literacy Coordinator

2. Addressed In This Presentation
Why the E.L.P began
Steps taken to get the program off the ground
How our program works
Efforts outside of the E.L.P
Plans for future expansion
Frequently Asked Questions

3. Background Information
Program was started as part of:
The Muncie Action Plan
Created to enhance the quality of life in our city
Muncie’s Kindergarten Readiness Initiative
A series of programs and practices to help get Muncie’s youngest citizens ready for school.
Early Childhood Education Expansion in Indiana

4. Statistics Average household income is $30,570
About 33.1% percent of the population lives in poverty.
Approx. 48% of Kindergartners begin school not ready with the majority of those students having had no pre-k education.
Based on the Essential Skills Assessment
Conducted by BY5 and given to local educators
Down from approx. 53% percent in 2015

5. Why No Pre-K? Lack of access Cost Schedule/Transportation
Few preschools located on the South Side
Pre-school vs. Daycare
PTQ ratings
Cost
Schedule/Transportation
Family cannot get their child to the school because of lack of transportation.
They work during the times preschool takes place.
No pre-k themselves
Not knowing the skills a child needs before they enter kindergarten.

6. The Early Literacy Program Begins
Timeline
Spring 2016
Early Literacy Coordinator Starts
Develops a plan to reach families and care providers
South side of Muncie, targeting families
Develops a series of promotional materials
Begins establishing partnerships with local organizations
Summer 2016
Early Literacy Program begins at Ross Center
Begins attending outreach events
Health Screening Fairs, Head Start Events, and registration and open house days for the three elementary schools in the serving area.
Brings on first family (July 2016)

7. The Early Literacy Program Begins
Summer 2016 Cont.
Program jumps from 1 to 6 families in a week
Brings on 7 more children shortly after the school year starts, bringing the total number of children served to 13.
Fall 2016
Begins outreach to Preschools, Daycare Centers, Home Care Providers, and Classrooms.
Twice a year visits or monthly visits depending on the needs of the students served.
Brings educational take home activities for the students based off of Indiana State Standards.

8. How The Program Works
Families/Providers express interest by contacting E.L.C
Families/ Providers must have or serve children ages 1-9 and be located on the south side of Muncie.
E.L.C sets up initial visit to meet the family/provider and discuss the child’s needs and likes.
Initial Visit Questions:
Child’s information: age, grade, school, and literacy needs
Any conditions that may affect sessions.
Child’s interests
Where sessions should occur and how frequently
Sessions may occur in home, at the library, or at the Ross Community Center.

9. How The Program Works
E.L.C creates games and activities to take to families home.
Based off of
Child’s interests
Space available
Time
Individual literacy needs
Session notes are written following the session
Meetings are held with families in December and May to ask about continuing in the program.

10. Outside Of The Area?
For families/providers that are outside of the service area
Resource lists of activities and games
Training sessions at various locations
Main branches or at their location if requested
Sample games
Referral to our youth services department
Hoping to expand services in the future

11. Other Services Offered By E.L.C
Early Literacy activities/ info sessions at two of the libraries branches.
Outreach
Visiting day cares to do story times with a standards based activity/game.
Visiting classrooms
Teacher gives me a topic they are working on and I bring a book to read and plan a standards based activity to accompany it.

12. Other Duties as assigned
A member of:
Ready, Set, Read task force
Nature Play Days Coalition
Family Navigators
Work with partnering organizations to increase literacy in the community in other ways:
Family Literacy Kits (Huffer)
Mommy Group (NFP)- Currently being developed
In house library programming

13. Frequently asked questions
Do you have trouble retaining participants?
Do parents have to be involved in sessions?
Do you take another person with you when you go into the home or to neighborhood outreaches?
What do you do if you cannot reach a parent?
Are you funded through a grant?