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. HNC 2030, p. 48

The third grade reading proficiency rate in North Carolina for the 2018-19 school year was 56.8%. This amounts to 53,000 students not meeting third grade reading requirements each year. Performance by school district varied greatly. Twenty-three percent of children with disabilities, 27.7% of English learners, 32.8% of students experiencing homelessness, and 40% of economically disadvantaged students and children in foster care were proficient in reading. From 2018-2019, only 40% of African American, American Indian, and Hispanic third graders were meeting proficiency requirements compared to 70% of white students and 76% of Asian students. The current goal is to accomplish 80% third grade reading proficiency by 2030. Achieving this goal is largely dependent upon eliminating disparities in proficiency rates for African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students. HNC 2030 pp. 48-49

• 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