Literacy and Wellness Programs for Families

At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe that literacy is a vital part of a child’s health and development. Through UPMC Children’s Hospital Community Health, we offer a wide range of programs that support early literacy, health education, and family wellness – delivered in the community, within the hospital, and across our care locations.

Our literacy-focused services are designed to meet families where they are. Whether it’s a story time at a Family Care Connection Center, a book given during a well-child visit, or a reading break during a hospital stay, we use books and learning to build stronger, healthier futures.

Programs like Reading Together, a virtual story-time series, bring families into inclusive, engaging reading experiences. These experiences are often paired with fun activities like field trips to local bookstores and book fairs. We also offer Nursery Rhyme Time and Kindergarten Readiness programs to help young children build early learning skills.

In addition to early literacy, we focus on health literacy – helping families understand the language of health and wellness so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their children.

Our programs are built around evidence-based and informed curricula, including:

• Cooking skills development.
• Digital literacy and healthy screen-time habits.
• Financial literacy.
• Food resource management.
• Infant and child feeding.
• Mental health resiliency.
• Nutrition education.
• Outdoor education and physical activity.
• Safety and hygiene.

These services are available at Family Care Connection Centers and other community-based locations, as well as through hospital-based programs like Reach Out and Read and Booksburgh. Together, they form a network of support that helps children and families thrive – in mind, body, and heart.