Assessment of STAR Reading

The Montefiore Family Health Center (FHC), founded 25 years ago, was one of the first health centers in New York City to provide comprehensive primary care services to local families living at or below poverty level.  The FHC is visited by 35,000-45,000 individuals per year and is currently the second largest health center in the Bronx.  In addition to primary care for families, the FHC provides cardiology, dermatology, ob/gyn and podiatry; social work, prenatal & newborn care and geriatrics.  The FHC has been a national leader in implementing systems-wide Chronic Disease and Preventative Services including Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Immunizations, Colon Cancer and Breast Screening and a range of related services.

FHC serves families in the Bronx, which has the lowest literacy level of any borough in New York City.   There is a well-documented link between reading level as a child and health later in life.   As a result, FHC developed a program, utilizing the STAR Reading Assessment, to assess the literacy of its school-age patients.  A test is administered during routine Pediatric well and sick visits and a series of books are "prescribed' to the patient and family according to his/her diagnosed reading level.  The test can identify students reading below and/or above grade level and therefore identify and intervene regarding children in both categories.  FHC anticipates that the higher level of literacy achieved through its intervention, the higher the quality of health in their young patients later in life. 

At this point, the FHC would like workshop participants to determine the efficacy of its current program and develop a plan for expansion.  Ideally the plan will serve as a model for other health centers in similar communities around the city and nationally.