Baby TALK Financial Support

We're Thankful for a Community Like Ours...

...a community which has supported Baby TALK in its efforts to positively impact child development and nurture healthy parent-child relationships during the critical early years.

At a time when a community is facing challenges, a temptation exists to expend all its energies and resources trying to fix what's broken.

Baby TALK takes a different approach. Baby TALK works proactively to rebuild our community from the bottom up. Believing that many of societies' ills have their roots in the breakdown of families, Baby TALK works by assisting new parents to appreciate the vital role they will play in determining what kind of individuals their children will become. Baby TALK teaches parents how to give their young children the vital emotional and cognitive support they need to grow into responsible, productive adults.

The first three years of life offer an unparalleled opportunity for growth and learning. Baby TALK capitalizes on this opportunity by meeting every family at Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital after the birth of their babies, discovering with them about their babies' marvelous abilities and suggesting activities which will enhance their babies' development as well as the parent-child relationship.

Baby TALK follows up on families through developmental newsletters, weekly parent child support groups called "Baby TALK Times," personal visits with low-income parents at regular appointments at both hospitals' prenatal clinics and well child clinics at Macon County Health Department and the Community Health Improvement Center (CHIC), "Lapsits" at Decatur Public Library, "Family Fun Nights" at Head Start, a Family Literacy (GED/Parenting/Early Childhood program) with Richland Community College for parents who didn't finish high school, and weekly parenting sessions for teen parents at middle schools, high schools and Boys & Girls Club.

Other communities have looked to Baby TALK for answers to their own needs. Baby TALK has been replicated in 31 states and Canada by professionals who have traveled to Decatur to be trained. The U.S. Department of Education singled Baby TALK out as one of thirteen programs in the nation who met GOAL ONE of the America 2000 Strategy: "By the year 2000, all children will start school ready to learn."

So Why Are We Thankful?

The Baby TALK Board is grateful for a community who established an environment that enabled Baby TALK to grow and flourish. For all its challenges, Macon County is a place where people understand the value of collaborating on behalf of very young children and their parents. Although some funding for Baby TALK programs comes through grants from the Illinois State Board of Education, the support of this community has been the vital, ongoing resource that has enabled Baby TALK to make a difference for families.

And it does make a difference! Early research of Baby TALK children who have entered school demonstrate increased abilities in language over their peers. In another study, parents who have received Baby TALK training prenatally are more likely to see to their child's health care needs.

Major Financial Support

Baby TALK is thankful for the following major sources of financial support and fiscal collaboration for local programs over the years of our operation:

• Churches
• Corporations
• Contract with Head Start
• Decatur Advantage
• Decatur Public Library
• Decatur Public Schools
• Friends of Library
• Hospitals
• Illinois State Library
• Illinois Secretary of State Literacy office
• Individuals
• Illinois State Board of Education Parental Training Grant
• James Millikin Estate
• Richland Community College
• Service Clubs

If you would like to make a donation or would like to suggest a possible major financial supporter, please contact Betsy Osman, Director of Development. If you prefer calling by phone, call (217) 475-2234 and ask to speak with Betsy.