It is no secret that high school dropout rates in Los Angeles are alarming. Less than 50% of freshman students in Los Angeles graduate on time, and the rates are even higher among Latinos and African Americans. The difficulties with school start at a young age – children with poor school skills start behind and usually stay behind.

Early Advantage at QueensCare Family Clinics

Once a week, the Echo Park and East L.A. Clinics host the Early Advantage program, which seeks to help parents prepare their children 5 years and under for school. For nearly 3 years, bilingual facilitators have been coming into the waiting area for a morning once a week, providing activities for parents and children, as well as materials to take home. They read stories to the children – even in another language, such as Spanish – and engage families in crafts, puzzles, and other learning activities that help prepare children for school. They tell parents about other learning resources, such as child care, pre-schools and library programs. Some parents have expressed concern that their child may have a learning problem, saying “I’m not sure how to tell the doctor about this.” So the facilitator will help them with that, too.

Maria Osuna, facilitator at the two clinics, says the parents enjoy the bonding time with their child. “While doing the exercises, parents have discovered new things about their child, like what their favorite color is, or that the child enjoys reading.”

Melba Espinosa, manager of the Echo Park clinic said, “Parents love it! They wish they could have it every day.” Parents also make appointments for the days they know Maria will be there. Maria brings the Early Advantage program to the Echo Park Clinic on Wednesday mornings from 8am to noon, and to the East L.A. Clinic on Thursday mornings, from 9-11am.

Learning Opportunities

The Early Advantage program opens up quality learning opportunities to parents. Many come from other countries and simply do not know about the learning opportunities available for their children. Some believe that because they don’t speak English, they can’t help their children with schooling. Yet reading to their child in their own language teaches a child the value of words, and of reading, which are critical school skills.

Background

Early Advantage began providing services in existing community locations, like WIC and healthcare clinics, in 2002 and continues to operate sites throughout Los Angeles County. Major funding comes from a federal grant to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) a Downey-based public agency that provides programs and services to communities, students and school districts in the County. One of LACOE’s major goals is to prepare children ages 0-5 years to be ready for school. While some Early Advantage facilitators work directly for the program, others work for organizations that partner with Early Advantage. For example, Maria Osuna is employed by Children’s Bureau. Working together, we can make a difference and help more children finish their schooling.