This Read Across America Day, we’re proud to spotlight the partnerships that foster reading, learning, and literacy throughout our hospital and the wider community. Early literacy plays a critical role in a child’s cognitive, language, social‑emotional, and academic development. It lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success and ensuring that books are readily available to support this growth is essential.
Only 17% of U.S. 13‑year‑olds read for fun daily. Just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress by 68%. Children with home libraries are significantly more likely to reach reading proficiency. The global literacy rate for people over 15 is around 86%. Statistics like these show that the need for accessible books, and literacy efforts are important to ensure children in our community have access to the tools they need to thrive.
That’s why our Dental Clinic has partnered with the Center for Native Health and Unite for Literacy as a home for the Cherokee Growing Readers Initiative. This initiative promotes early literacy and education while incorporating the Cherokee language and creating culturally connected opportunities for families.
Cherokee Central Schools, along with the First 100 Books, Unite for Literacy, the National Center for Families Learning, and local partners like the Center for Native Health, are helping launch this initiative with support from the NCFL’s Sharon Darling Fund. Through this project, partners work with families and organizations to place books and book gardens in community spaces like CIHA, mail books directly to families, and support the creation of books that celebrate Cherokee language and culture, all developed in collaboration with the community. “Cherokee Growing Readers is an initiative that puts books into the hands of children and families through free book gardens, nurturing a lifelong love of reading and connection.”
This work promotes book sovereignty which is the right of communities to shape their own book systems through local development and distribution. The goal is to strengthen family and community connections, encourage daily reading habits, and ensure books are accessible to all.
The initiative does this by the of free “book gardens,” which place books directly into the hands of children and families. Current and upcoming locations across the Qualla Boundary include:
Cherokee Elementary School
Qualla Boundary Head Start
CIHA Dental Clinic
Qualla Boundary Library
Center for Native Health
Nurse Family Partnership
Cherokee Boys Club – Bus Book Boxes (COMING SOON)
Homework Club
Family Safety
Talking Leaves Bookstore – Cory Blankenship (COMING SOON)
The CIHA Dental Clinic is proud to host one of these book gardens. The clinic joined the initiative to help families practice the “brush, book, and bed” routine: promoting both dental health and early reading. Books are now included in pediatric visit goodie bags alongside dental supplies.
Dental assistants say the response has been overwhelmingly positive: children enjoy choosing books, looking at the pictures, and reading along. “The kids have been excited to receive and pick the books,” says Karla Fisher, Dental Clinic Manager.
The clinic keeps options for all age groups, including chapter books and even book series for older children. All books are provided free through the program—there is no limit on how many children can receive.
Additional CIHA Literacy Partnerships
CIHA participates in several other literacy efforts, including:
- Partnering with Reach Out and Read, providing books during well‑child visits
- Partnering with the Qualla Boundary Library to display local books in the Pediatric Emergency Waiting Room
- Story Walks created by Tribal Option and the CIHA Foundation at Oconaluftee Island Park and the new White Water Landing Park
- A story walk being planned for the new Cherokee County Clinic
CIHA is dedicated to fostering free accessible early‑literacy opportunities across our community by collaborating with local partners and creating meaningful, accessible learning resources for families—while uplifting and sharing Cherokee language and culture every step of the way.