Why We Do What We Do - No. 2

BREATHING

Just wanted to share a patient encounter I had this morning at the free clinic.  Mom brought her severely asthmatic 10 year old son in to see me.  They often walk to the clinic in Fort Mill, but when they can or have to, they get  down to the Rock Hill clinic.  I have a lot of respect for this mom--someone I see as "holding it all together by a thread."  They are not eligible for medicaid because Dad is a tree guy and makes just a little tiny bit too much.  Neither can they afford health insurance.  And like I said, this kid has scary terrible asthma.  I had given him extra medications for the summer since we are closed in July.  

I asked her how the summer went.  "Well, we've had better summers."  She then went on to tell me that her husband hadn't felt well for a couple of months but wouldn't go see a doctor...until his prostate infection got so bad that it spread to the rest of his body, especially one leg which the surgeons had to filet open in order to take out the infected, dying muscle.  The surgeon told the mother the husband would not be going back to climbing trees.  "Please don't tell him that yet," she requested.  "Imagine if you lost your right hand tonight.  He can't hear that right now."  The dad is now home with the mom doing  dressing changes on this open wound (they can't afford home health nurse).  The mom is pretty sure that come hell or high water, he'll go back to what he did before. 

Anyway, as the dad got sicker, the mom and 10 year old boy took over his lawn service (which he did to earn extra income when tree stuff was slow).  As they were mowing, people would stop and ask the 10 year old how much he'd charge to do their lawn, so he picked up extra business, saved his money, and recently bought a Wii so he could get more exercise (he is a bit overweight, plus he thought it'd be good for his asthma).  On the day that the dad was being wheeled into surgery, the boy's asthma was getting very bad.  

"So I spread my arms like this," he told me, spreading his arms very wide, "and I closed my eyes and breathed in and out very slowly.  It seemed to help.  Now I am saving my money for Wii Fit so I can do yoga and practice stretching and breathing.  I think it's going to help me."  

Now you see why I wanted to share this story with you...

(I told him I have a 10 year old girl and I hope she marries a kid just like him). 

Why We Do What We Do - No. 1

The Gift of Books:  Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Child by Child

In honor of National Reach Out and Read Literacy Week (May 2-8), pediatricians and nurse practitioners, both nationally and locally, will celebrate by working to promote early literacy through participation in the Reach Out and Read Program (ROR).  For the past ten years, several local pediatric practices have partnered with the Early Learning Partnership of York County to bring the ROR program to our community.  We value the opportunity to discuss the importance of family literacy at every well child visit by providing patients ages 6 months through 5 years with an age-appropriate book and discussing the importance of making reading a major part of every child’s daily routine. 

Many studies have shown that children who develop a love for books and reading early are more successful in school, have higher graduation rates, and are ultimately more successful in the work place.

In contrast, children who have not routinely snuggled with a caregiver to share a good book often come to the first day of kindergarten poorly prepared to learn to read.  These children start school a step behind their peers, and it’s very difficult for them to catch up.  Children who aren’t taught about the joys of reading in the early years are at increased risk for absenteeism, dropping out, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy.

Grabbing a book and reading to a child is easy for many parents, but for many others, children’s books are a luxury and not easily accessible.  Today in America, there are more than 11 million children aged 5 and under who are living in poverty.  Through programs like ROAR or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (also supported locally by the Early Learning Partnership of York County), low income families can begin to surround these children with a wealth of information in the form of books. 

Reach out and Read works in part because the medical profession has early and unparalleled access to families.  Together, through ROR, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and family doctors can help break the cycle of poverty by prescribing books and empowering parents to read with their young children, thus ensuring that every child arrives at school ready to read and ready to learn. 

The ROR program has added a whole new level of care to my pediatric practice. I use books both as a diagnostic tool to measure development and parent-child interactions and as a safe, effective therapeutic intervention for childhood problems at any age.  Yesterday, for example, I gave a board book to a wide-eyed 15 month old.  She took it gratefully, turned it right side up, carefully turned a few pages and pointed at some of the pictures, showing them to her mother and babbling eloquently in toddler-ease.  Then she carried it over to share with her great grandmother who was sitting quietly in the corner.  In fifteen seconds, I was able to begin to evaluate this toddler’s language, social, fine, and gross motor skills and to observe that her developmental abilities were generally on track.  It was clear that she had been raised with books and was well on her way to school success in later years.

Books are the closest thing to a panacea the pediatric world has ever seen.  Take any common childhood challenge, and a recommendation to read with the child is part of a successful solution.  Examples might include:  

Language delays in a toddler?  Read with your child.

Explosive tantrums in a two year old?  Withdraw attention temporarily, then when he calms down and is cooperative, find a favorite book and read with your child.

Bedtime struggles and sleep disorders?  Establish a consistent bedtime routine which must always include reading with your child.

Lice?  After applying special shampoo, have your child read to you as you comb out the little critters.

Rebellious, anxious, or uncommunicative teenager?  Find a book to share together or just share a few minutes before bedtime reading together silently.

Home from school with a fever?   Read to him.  School age child with learning problems?  Have her read to you.  Long car trip to visit relatives with carsick children? Expand your child’s vocabulary with an audiobook and the hours will magically zip by.

Let’s all join together to make school readiness a reality for ALL children in South Carolina.   Read with your children anytime, anywhere.  If you don’t currently have a child at home, consider donating some time routinely to read with a child at school or the Children’s Attention Home.  Support a Reach Out and Read program in your community or make a donation to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Donations in support of these programs may be sent to:

ELP Of York County Meeting Tuesday in York

Early Learning Partnership Of York Count September Meeting

8:00 AM, Tuesday, September 14, 2010
York Family Resource Center, 37 Pinckney Street   York, SC 29745803/684-1504
803/684-1504
Please call 323-2180 or 984-3097 Or E-mail if you are unable to attend

wooldridged@winthrop.edu

Directions from York

Congress Street south Veer right onto Pinckney Street (it will look as if you are going into a residential street)

Directions from Clover

US-321 south, Turn left at Pinckney Street

Directions from Rock Hill

Highway 5 south, Turn left on Liberty Street (York School District Office will be diagonal from the light), Turn left on Congress Street, Veer right onto Pinckney Street (it will look as if you are going into a residential street)

OR

Highway 161 towards York (York School Dist. Office will be on the right side of the street, Hwy 161 becomes Liberty St.), Turn left on Congress Street, Veer right onto Pinckney Street (it will look as if you are going into a residential street)

Direction from Fort Mill

US 21  to Celenase Road/SC161 turn right, Turn right onto Highway 161 (York School Dist. Office will be on the right side of the street, Hwy 161 becomes Liberty St.)

Turn left on Congress Street, Veer right onto Pinckney Street (it will look as if you are going into a residential street)

Directions from Charlotte

77 South to Exit 82C ( Highway 161-Celanese Road) Highway 161 towards York  (York School Dist. Office will be on the right side of the street, Hwy 161 becomes Liberty St.), Turn left on Congress Street, Veer right onto Pinckney Street (it will look as if you are going into a residential street)

April Minutes

April 20, 2010

Early Learning Partnership

Board Meeting Minutes

Attending: Julie Case, Ouida Dest, Sylvia Echols, Sue Gover, David Lisk, Suzanne Merritt, Susan Roberson, Judy Sanford, Marc Sosne, Anne Suite, Jane Turpin, Jim Vining

Staff/Guests Present: Donna Wooldridge, Teresa Creech, Brenda for Nina Feemster

Sylvia in Stephen’s absence welcomed everyone to our monthly ELP meeting and thanked Brenda for her hospitality in Nina’s absence. Nina’s daughter was having knee surgery and Nina could not attend.

Stephen asked Donna to bring the board up to speed on the latest executive decisions at the Fort Mill School District that may affect ELP in his absence. She shared this information and e-mails with the board and discussed next steps. A meeting will be scheduled with Dr. Callicutt and Dr. Epps to discuss possible options of keeping the integrity of these grants and programs that would be cost effective for the district. Other details will be left at board level. Absent board members may call Donna or any Executive Council Member for details or questions.

Brenda, Nina’s secretary, reported that they served 286 people in Clover in March. Clover Family Resource Center and Bright Beginnings reported on the activities of the Parenting Program and Family Resource Center. She reported that they continue their Music and Me classes, and Eating Smart and Moving More. The York and Clover programs will take their families to Wells Farm during April, Garden month. The Colgate Dental Van will be there on May 6^th and their annual Stories on the Lawn will be on May 11^th.

David Lisk, Executive Director of York County First Steps, gave the First Steps report. He shared he is now working on his new budget. “CountDown To Kindergarten” will be held again this summer and they will host 30 per district. The state office is looking at all agencies to get a snapshot of at- risk, 0-6 children in the state. He and his board of directors are still very concerned about the direction the Fort Mill SB is taking with the FMRC and the PAT program they support.

Suzanne Merritt reviewed the March General Ledger, assets and liabilities. Everything is in line for this time of year. We will not print out the checking information/reconciliation in the future because it is not useful for the board.

Julie Case updated the board on the Bowl-a-Thon fundraising activities.

Kinard elementary with Jim Glover will host a dance on Cinco de Mayo to benefit DPIL. Thank you Sue’s Jim!!

We’re up over $7000 for banner sponsorships. Silent Auction items are due May 7^th. She reviewed the time frame leading up to and on the day of the BAT. We need ELP bowlers!! Call 323-2180 if you will bowl. Reminder to wear ELP colors on that day. It will officially begin at 9 a.m. Things are in good shape but remember that Each board member is responsible for at least one lane sponsorship and one silent auction item.

Teresa Creech reported on the number of children served through the Resource Centers and Medical Clinics for March 2010

Resource Center*		Medical*
Clover		31
Fort Mill		36
Rock Hill		42
York		74

*Unduplicated

1,314 children were served in the medical clinics from August to April 2010. Teresa reported that the Clover medical clinic numbers will approve with Head Start is moving to the Resource Center Building. She is participating in the Homeless Coalition Training which will benefit the resource centers and staff. She hopes to have a Nurse Practitioner volunteer to begin work in the clinic helping us use that pilot if we are funded by the SOM. Northwestern High School Key Club to donate.

Donna reported the following for the month of March.

DPIL- we are back up to 3486 children

• All of the school districts have now honored their pledge of $2,500 each for DPIL. We hope this will continue.
• Perihelion Club-Elizabeth Edgerton- donation for DPIL-$400
• And as Julie reported, funds keep coming in for Lane sponsorship @around $6500
• Change or delete strategic plan
• From: Increase Quality Child Care Experiences

Suggestion: Increase school readiness by providing children from birth to 6 with quality literacy experiences. Not a quorum.

County Council Grant was due on March 5-DPIL and the Reach Out and Read 6 month reports for each of the 6 sites was due on the 30th 4814 books

• United Way due Feb 26 - our program meeting was on the 30^th and budget meeting was on the 12th of April
• ROAR 6 month reports were due on the 31^st of March
• Sisters of Mercy was submitted on April 1^st.-Nurse Practitioner
• Lake Wylie Lioness Club- App for DPIL
• Literacy Week-May 2-8 I have asked Dr. Martha to write an Ed Op along the theme- Gift of Books- Breaking the cycle of Poverty-Child By Child, Pediatrician By Pediatrician-Highlighting ROAR as a gift all parents can give and the importance or reading aloud and making books an integral part of their children’s daily routine. So you should see that in the paper sometime that week.
• Financial and Internal Controls Policy-final
• ROAR SC- newsletter- Do you want to receive?
• Literacy Corner at York Pedes in State newsletter

Submitted by Donna

February Minutes

February 9, 2010

Early Learning Partnership

Board Meeting Minutes

Attending: Julie Case, Stephen Cox, Ouida Dest, Sylvia Echols, Tom Faulkenberry, Sue Gover, Laurie Leader, Brien Lewis, David Lisk, Susan Martoccia, Suzanne Merritt, Susan Roberson, Marc Sosne, Anne Suite, Jane Turpin, Jim Vining

Staff/Guests Present: Donna Wooldridge, Teresa Creech, Cindy Hunt

Stephen welcomed everyone to our monthly ELP meeting and thanked Cindy for her hospitality in hosting our meeting.

Stephen summarized the results of our recent audit for the board. Overall, the results were clean but a few items were suggested for improvement in terms of reporting finances. There were also a few weaknesses in internal controls that are often common with an organization of our size. Stephen revised our Financial and Internal Control Policy and addressed those specific suggestions to match what we say we are doing and actually how those things are executed. This process will be much easier with a new bookkeeper and software program, Peachtree, as well. The bookkeeper will work closely with Donna on site improving communication on financial issues. The board unanimously approved the revised policy.

Cindy Hunt, Rock Hill Family Resource Center Director reported on the activities of the Rock Hill Parenting Program and Family Resource Center. Cindy reported that their clothes closet is being moved, making way to a 2^nd exam room. Another pediatrician may assist on Fridays in the future and would be available for a nurse practitioner if future grants are approved. All of the literacy classes are full at this time.

Sylvia discussed the executive summary and conclusion of the “Focus on Kids” report. (enclosed) The report helps us look at figures of budget shortfalls and declines in state revenues as it has a real life impact on the children of South Carolina. It is still not known how these reductions will affect our children and may not understand the true extent of the damage for many years. She encourages us to share this information with others.

David Lisk, Executive Director of York County First Steps, gave the First Steps report. He shared that First Steps will probably experience more budget cuts and these reductions will not be able to be absorbed by the State. Programs will be affected; particularity literacy programs and direct services. He reported that he is researching the possibility of collaboration with the faith community and literacy programs. He feels like stimulus money will be coming. The Parents as Teachers program has been approved. The problem before was a data issue. Child care vouchers will be available for more children.

Suzanne Merritt reviewed the January General Ledger, assets and liabilities. Next month the board will be able to see all of the restricted and unrestricted funds broken down and see balances by program. The board unanimously agreed to allow Suzanne to move money.

Julie Case updated the board on fundraising activities, specifically the Bowl-a-Thon with preparations already underway. The new goal for this year is $40,000 to $45,000 dollars. She met with the parenting coordinators, Teresa and Donna on the 11^th of January to begin work. The 2^nd annual Bowl-a-Thon will be held at Strikers on Saturday, May 15^th, from 9-11:30 with registration from 8-9. Each board member is responsible for at least one lane sponsorship and one silent auction item. Items can be dropped off at any of the Family Resource Centers or the ELP office. Donna will develop a form to give to silent auction participants. Committees are needed in preparation for this signature event. Susan Martoccia and Anne Suite have agreed to oversee the silent auction activity. Thank you so much, ladies. She has developed an extensive list of frequently asked questions from last year to provide for a smoother event.

Dr. Sosne, on behalf of the Clover Rotary, is raffling tickets for a 50” TV and proceeds will go to DPIL. Thanks, MARC! Susan Roberson will look into Tapestry baskets to be auctioned at Bowl-a-thon silent auction. Herald will give us 3 add spaces for the Bowl-a-Thon. Teresa is talking to Kohl’s about their volunteer program to help with B-a-T.

Teresa Creech reported on the number of children served through the Resource Centers and Medical Clinics for January 2010

Resource Center*		Medical*
Clover	137	36
Fort Mill	1624	25
Rock Hill	1895	54
York	223	25

*Unduplicated

933 children were served in the medical clinics from August to February 2010. Teresa reported that we are nearing capacity in terms of how many we can serve without additional staff/space. She is exploring EXCEL classes for Amy, the medical clerk to fully computerize the clinics. She will work with Centers to get Census training to assist.

DPIL- down to 3200 after cleaning out database. Less non-deliverable books result after NCOA process.

Donna reported that ELP will complete an application to the United Way for funding in the amount of $18,000 for DPIL-Due Feb. 26^th. She will also apply to County Council in March for $30,000 support for DPIL since it is a county- wide effort. Received the Malpractice Liability Coverage effective Jan 1- Dec 31, 2010 listing for Joyce Barreda as an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of the Federal Tort Act. Silent Auction and Banner forms developed and distributed. Stephen asked Donna to send board members the current strategic plan for review.

Submitted by Donna