Giving

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."

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.