From Staff Reports
PRESS RELEASE: A free resource for parents and other caregivers is available by mobile phone. The Navarro County Early Childhood Coalition introduced the Bright by Text program this summer to offer tips about child development, local resources and family activities. A typical text may announce a showing of a free movie and a support group meeting for young parents.
Lynda Sloan, the former CEO of VOICE, Inc., co-chairs the Coalition with Rachel Gillespie of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services. Sloan explains, “We want to offer parenting resources that were relevant, timely and easy to access. This texting program meets all of those priorities and more. Our hope is to get as many Navarro County parents as possible using it and we are encouraged with the positive response so far.”
To receive texts, caregivers send the phrase “TexasKids” (as one word) to 274448. They are asked the ages of children in their care (up to eight years old) in order to receive age-appropriate information. Tips and activities come from trusted national partners such as Sesame Street and local agencies such as Growing Together, the YMCA and the Corsicana School District. The service is available in English and Spanish and sends messages four or five times each week.
For more information write to Rachel.gillespie@pchas.org or call 903-229-4853.
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