Programs & Services

While not a direct service literacy program, the vision of the Early Literacy Program (ELP) is to serve as the infrastructure and foundation for all literacy programs in the county, and to connect literacy programs to funding resources and trained readers. All of the literacy programs that ELP supports do the following:
  • Model for parents how to read to their children and provide information about why literacy is important.
  • Put books into children’s hands to increase the number of books present in their homes.
  • Link trained volunteers to reach out to children and parents in their communities.

Programs

ELP has been instrumental in expanding successful county-wide literacy programs, such as:

Reach Out and Read (ROR) – As a national early literacy program, ROR has made a significant impact on increasing early literacy among children and families. The program involves pediatricians and volunteers who promote early literacy by informing parents about its importance and providing books during every well-child visit. ELP is supporting the program at clinics throughout Orange County.

Home-Based Activities Building Language Acquisition (HABLA) – HABLA is an educational outreach program aimed at promoting school readiness through early, home-based intervention. The program, which has been recognized nationally, is currently implemented in Santa Ana and uses home visitors to model early literacy techniques for parents. HABLA currently serves 140 families in the Santa Ana area.

Community Literacy Programs – Programs such as School District “Literacy Parties,” community health fairs, and special family reading events have successfully increased early literacy knowledge within the community. By integrating families as partners, these events have spread important information about early literacy development.

Services