All children in North Carolina can discover the joy of reading at an early age and are supported in the home, school, and community to be lifelong readers.

Children with low reading proficiency are more likely to drop out of high school, acquire low-paying jobs that limit access to health care, and have increased risks for numerous adverse health outcomes. 2022 NC SHIP, pg. 48

Dialogue from the 2022 NC SHIP Community Council Meeting and Symposia:

• Reading scores have been declining for over a decade 
• Young children do not receive enough instruction in phonics to become fluent readers
• Fluency improves comprehension
• Reading is taught in a vacuum without giving students an opportunity to learn reading in science and history
• Home reading habits have deteriorated
• Cuts in spending for education generally mean cuts to personnel

“In 2019, results on national and international exams showed stagnant or declining American performance in reading and widening gaps between high and low performers. The causes are multifaceted, but many experts point to a shortage of educators trained in phonics and phonemic awareness — the foundational skills of linking the sounds of spoken English to the letters that appear on the page. The pandemic has compounded those issues.” 2022 NC SHIP, pg. 49

• Expand access to NC Pre-K, 4-, and 5-star early learning programs and other high-quality early childhood programs, particularly for children who are homeless, in foster care, are from immigrant families, or who have disabilities or other special healthcare needs
• Expand use of evidence-based literacy programs connected to health care (e.g., Reach Out and Read)
• Improve the rigor and responsiveness of birth through third grade teacher and administrator preparation programs
• Increase access to home visiting programs for young children
• Increase funding to public schools and early learning programs that serve children with the highest barriers to success, including children from low-income families and people of color
• Raise wages to attract, recruit, and retain highly qualified birth through third grade teachers

NC Department of Public Instruction

DHHS, in partnership with a diverse set of stakeholders, developed a standardized set of SDOH screening questions to address and acquire data on the following:

• Food insecurity
• Housing instability
• Lack of transportation
• Interpersonal violence

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/healthy-opportunities/screening-questions