Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Literacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Astoria SD 1 recognizes Books for Birth partnership with Columbia Memorial Hospital
Summary
The Astoria SD 1 board honored a collaboration between Columbia Memorial Hospital and the Northwest Regional ESD to launch Books for Birth, a bilingual starter-book program funded in part by the state comprehensive literacy grant that provides newborns and parents with reading materials and supports early literacy.
The Astoria SD 1 Board of Directors on April 8 recognized a new Books for Birth partnership that will supply bilingual starter-book kits to families at birth.
Board member Grace Layman presented the recognition, thanking Columbia Memorial Hospital and the Northwest Regional Education Service District for working with the district to provide five-book kits and parent resources before families leave the hospital. Grace Layman said the initiative aims to "start their journey with the gift of literacy and a foundation for lifelong learning." (Grace Layman)
The presentation included program details: staff said the effort began as a pilot with Book Harvest and delivered a two-part kit (five books provided in the birthing center and additional books at a first pediatric visit). A board member noted the program was supported by the CLSD comprehensive state literacy grant, which covers services from birth through 12th grade and allowed the district to use birth–prekindergarten set-aside funds to support the project. The presenters said the books are bilingual and that parents receive access codes to short instructional videos and handouts to support early literacy practices.
District officials and hospital representatives took a group photo at the meeting and staff said a local paper planned a story on the program the following day. Board members expressed appreciation for the community partnership and for staff who coordinated the pilot and grant application.
The board did not take formal action on the recognition beyond the presentation. The program’s next steps include continued coordination with the hospital and ESD partners and monitoring of family uptake and distribution logistics.
