Grant Supports Health Literacy

A $65,000 grant from The Wellmark Foundation will allow the public schools to start a health literacy education project. Some 450 Hawthorne elementary students and their families will benefit from the grant, which is designed to increase knowledge regarding health.

The program will use the Bright Futures Guidelines and Curriculum developed by the Federal Maternal Child Health Bureau project partners. Topics include nutrition, oral health, mental health, immunizations, and safety.

“Our overall project goals are to increase access to primary health care services in the community and improve health communication between providers, parents and children,” said Jacquie Kelley, supervisor of health services for the public schools. “We hope to increase family knowledge, skills and participation in health promotion and prevention activities; to promote desired developmental and health outcomes of children; and to foster partnerships among families and community health professionals.”

Project partners include the Falls Community Health Center, Southeastern Behavioral Health Care, University of South Dakota School of Nursing, South Dakota State University College of Nursing and the Mayor’s Task Force on Unmet Health Care Needs.