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In 2019, the Kansas Health Foundation worked with community organizations in seven counties to fund Dolly Parton Imagination Library programs. In these communities, and others throughout Kansas, children who are signed up receive a free book delivered to their homes each month until the age of 5.
KHF funding was used to either start or strengthen DPIL programs in the counties of Cowley, Finney, Ford, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee and Wyandotte. Overall, KHF’s investment is a three-year, $1 million initiative.
It’s a program already bringing joy to children in Dodge City, including those in the Lopez family.
“With two older kids, we obviously have books in the house, but I think it’s really important to have relevant books,” said Coral Lopez, a mother of three. “That’s where this program really shines. Once that new book gets here each month, it’s on repeat for at least a week.”
To learn more about the program and KHF’s involvement with children’s literacy, please watch this month’s Health Happenings eNews video above.