Media

Literacy is prime issue for region's health

PORTAGE: Organizations gather information to form regional literacy plan

By Joyce Russell Times Staff Writer - July 8, 2004.

PORTAGE -- If John can't read or solve basic math problems, he probably can't apply for a job or read directions on a medicine bottle to give his child the correct dose.

And, if John can't read, there's a good chance his children will have the same problem.

Some 47 percent of residents in the seven-county Northwest Indiana region are deficient in their literacy skills. They can't read at a sixth-grade level, Margaret Doughty told a group of about two dozen people representing social service agencies throughout the region Wednesday morning.

The meeting was the third of four forums hosted by The Discovery Alliance and The Center of Workforce Innovations aimed at gathering information to develop a region-wide literacy plan.

Cecelia Wagner, literacy program consultant for the groups, said forums already have been held with community leaders and faith-based groups. A fourth and final forum is set for July 30 for the business community at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton.

"There is a need to come up with a unified strategy to develop a literacy plan for the region," said Wagner. "The forums are a way to reach the sectors of the community involved in literacy."

Doughty is an international literacy expert and cofounder of the Houston READ Commission, hired to help facilitate development of the regional plan.

"There are lots of excellent programs in the area, but there are programs that are struggling in finding funding. We need to develop a network of sustained programs." said Doughty. "Only a small percentage of people who need a literacy program are receiving services while there are vacancies in literacy programs."

The plan is to identify issues involved in providing these programs for adults and children and to attempt to provide solutions. The plan also aims to link literacy programs together by gathering and sharing information about programs that are presently available #8212; what they do and who they serve.

Doughty said literacy is an economic and quality of life issue. Improving literacy levels improves school achievement, self sufficiency, employment levels and community value leading to higher wages, less poverty and an increase in quality of life.

The group aims to complete and unveil a regional literacy plan during a Sept. 17 Regional Literacy Conference at Michigan City Holiday Inn.

Joyce Russell may be reached at joycer@nwitimes.com or (219) 762-4334.

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