Literacy Center Receives Second Year Grant In July of 2007, the Deaf Literacy Center was selected as a Family Literacy Academy expansion site by the Florida Family Literacy Initiative. Nine mentors were recruited to conduct weekly in-home family literacy sessions. The program served a total of 28 families with Deaf members (15 Deaf parents with hearing or Deaf children and 12 hearing parents with Deaf children). Because of the success and positive response to the program, this past August the Center received a second year grant. The Deaf Florida Family Literacy Academy (DFFLA) incorporates all four main components of Family Literacy.  The project is designed to specifically assist families with Deaf members with children ages 0-12 build effective communication skills through an innovative program using trained tutors, children's books and companion sign lnguage video tapes. The weekly one-hour home visit includes: tutors teaching either English or ASL to parents, teaching pre-reading or guided reading skills to children, and modeling book reading/signing and coaching the families in book sharing strategies. The Center also utilizes the Gallaudet University's nationally acclaimed Shared Reading Project curriculum and complements it with additional signed material from the Safety Harbor Library’s Deaf collection. During the week, family members read the story to the child repeatedly and log the number of times they read the story. A book sharing activity guide that includes book sharing strategies, tips for using the videos and hands on activities to do with children, are provided to the families in order to reinforce each lesson. These family activities will not only enhance the bond and communication between families and children but also the child’s reading skills, language acquisition and confidence/self esteem. Quick Facts - After participating in the Deaf Florida Family Literacy Academy: 93% of the families read to their child several times a week.  A 68% increase from the beginning of the program. 88% of parents/caretakers increased their knowledge of literacy strategies.  Only 16% of parents knew any strategies before participating in the program. 82% of Deaf parents/caretakers improved their English comprehension skills. 100% of the hearing parents/caretakers improved their American Sign Language skills. 84% of the children increased their visual and listening comprehension skills. 90% of the children showed an increased interest in sharing books with their family members. For more information, contact the Deaf Literacy Center at (727) 724-1525, ext. 120 or email Rosa Rodriguez at rrodriguez@pplc.us.

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