Program FAQs

What is Nemours doing to address dyslexia in our community?

Nemours has pioneered a one-of-a-kind community initiative called Nemours BrightStart!, designed to identify children in Duval County who are at risk for dyslexia before they enter kindergarten, when high-quality intervention is most beneficial.

Nemours believes that a genetic and neurobiological predisposition for dyslexia is not necessarily destiny — with early identification and appropriate intervention, the incidence of persistent dyslexia can possibly decrease from 15 – 20 percent to 5 percent or less of the childhood population.

How will this program work?

The Nemours BrightStart! Dyslexia Initiative began screening rising kindergartners in Duval County in 2005. The goal is to make screening available to more and more children in Duval County each year. The screening takes just a few minutes per child and measures critical language and print awareness skills that support reading development.

After screening, each child’s parents will be notified of results. Parents of children identified in the lower 25 percent of the screening will be offered the opportunity to enroll their child in Nemours BrightStart! educational intervention, which is provided at no charge. Highly qualified teachers from Nemours BrightStart! will provide approximately intensive reading readiness instruction sessions over an 8- to 10-week period.

At the end of the program, children are re-screened to measure progress. Those experiencing persistent reading problems may receive additional educational intervention, also at no charge.

These screening and intervention services will be offered in a variety of settings, including childcare centers, preschools throughout Duval County, and at the Nemours BrightStart! office near the Nemours Children’s Clinic.

Nemours BrightStart! services also include workshops for parents, teachers and child care workers on the risk factors and identification of dyslexia, as well as community symposia to raise awareness of the condition.

When and where will dyslexia screenings occur?

Starting in September 2007, screenings will take place in many childcare centers and pre-schools throughout Duval County. For children not attending those centers, screenings will be offered at Nemours Children’s Clinic. Additional information about Nemours BrightStart! services and Parent and Teacher Resources will be regularly added to our website, be sure to bookmark it.

Will Nemours BrightStart! label or diagnose preschoolers with dyslexia?

No. The program will identify children with signs of risk factors, and intervene to prevent or reduce increasing signs of dyslexia.

Why is Nemours supporting this cause?

This community-based dyslexia initiative is a natural expression of the Nemours mission, which is, in part, “…to restore and improve the health of children through care and programs not readily available.” Nemours is especially pleased to launch this innovative program in Jacksonville, the location of our headquarters and business offices, as well as a principal site for the Nemours Children’s Clinic services in Northeast Florida.

What are the benefits of this program?

This program provides young children at risk for dyslexia with the foundation to become successful readers, before they have a chance to fall behind.

What are the program’s long-term goals?

Nemours BrightStart! goals are to help program participants progress more smoothly with learning to read, reduce the incidence of reading problems, educate the community about dyslexia, and contribute to the science of dyslexia in its earliest stage.

How many children will be helped by this program?

For the 2007-2008 school year Nemours BrightStart! plans to screen approximately 2,000 rising kindergartners in Duval County, and provide intervention services to 800 children.

Many additional children, parents and teachers will be helped through Nemours BrightStart! workshops and educational information. In the future, Nemours BrightStart! plans to make its services available to every rising kindergartner in Duval County.

How will information on outcomes be used?

By following children’s progress through the early grades, Nemours BrightStart! can help determine what works best for screening and teaching young children at risk for dyslexia, and add new knowledge to the science of early reading development.

How is this program different from other literacy programs currently available in Duval County?

The program is unique because it provides universal, individualized dyslexia screening services to children at an early age, linked with intensive intervention and frequent monitoring of progress. All aspects of the program have a sound, scientific basis. This program does not duplicate current programs already in place.

Who are your community partners?

While serving the children and families of Duval County, Nemours BrightStart! maintains collaborative relationships with existing early literacy programs such as the Mayor’s Early Literacy Initiative, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, the Early Learning Coalition, the Duval County School System and Family Support Services of North Florida.

How can parents learn more about this program?

By calling 904-858-3118 or visiting www.nemours.org/brightstart . In addition, Nemours will provide program information to preschools and childcare centers, health care providers, child service agencies, and the media, to let parents know where to seek help.