Rowan County Health Department’s Child Service Coordination Program is looking for a few good books for its “Read With Me” program.
Read With Me is an initiative that fosters opportunities for families to read with their children. The health department is collecting new or gently used books for children birth to five years of age.
“Reading helps with language development, promotes bonding and parent-child interaction,” said Steve Joslin, Family Care Coordination supervisor at the health department. “It allows parents and caregivers to have quality time with their children. It also stimulates a child’s imagination and encourages self-expression.”
Many families are unable to afford to buy books for their children. Joslin’s staff encourages families to go to their public library branches to obtain a library card and take books home to read with their children. Many families have limited incomes, no transportation or can’t afford trips to the library.
“We will be giving these books to families in need, so they will have those opportunities. One book will help one child, one family,” Joslin said.
Books may be brought to collection boxes at the health department, Rowan County Department of Social Services and Rowan Public Library in downtown Salisbury.
The Child Service Coordination Program assists families with children birth to 5 years old who have special needs regarding their health, growth or development. Specially trained social workers called Child Service Coordinators make monthly contacts to help ensure their child’s special needs are being met.
Coordinators help find needed care and resources, including access to medical care, insurance, developmental screenings and evaluations, therapies, and other service programs. This program currently serves about 150 children and their families per month.
For more information, contact the Rowan County Health Department at 704-216-8828.