United Way Capital Area's Success by 6 (SB6) is changing the school readiness landscape by bringing innovative, evidence-based interventions to our most vulnerable children. SB6, We Give Books, and the URS Corporation are joining forces to strengthen early literacy skills in vulnerable preschoolers through "Play and Learn," a proven parent education intervention.

Play and Learn groups address the need for free parent/child playgroups for families who cannot afford early care and education for their two, three, and four-year olds. Weekly sessions are held in neighborhood locations and teach parents how to help their children gain school-readiness skills. Books are an essential part of the weekly take-home packet - and simple activities are modeled to extend the book's themes throughout the home environment. Even when parental literacy levels are low, research shows that teaching parents how to enjoy books with their children has beneficial effects on children's development. We Give Books will provide books to vulnerable preschoolers that will foster a love of learning at an early age.

In partnership with the URS Corporation, We Give Books aims to donate 500 books to vulnerable, preschool-aged children participating in the Success By 6 Play and Learn program. Participants are very low-income, many are English Language Learners, and very few have children's books in their homes. The books will be distributed in local Austin neighborhoods with the poorest educational outcomes, and families will be coached on how to share books with their children. Pre- and post-assessments will be given to the families participating in the Play and Learn program to measure changes in positive family literacy practices.

For more information about United Way Capital Area's Success By 6, visit www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org.