Neurodiverse Children Get Support Through Grant At Stafford Library

STAFFORD, NJ — Thanks to a federal grant, the Ocean County Library will launch a program to provide literacy-based services for the neurodiverse community, from birth to age five, at three of the library's branches, including the Stafford branch.

"Milestones in Neurodiversity & Literacy to Grow" will be initially offered in the Brick, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor branches through a $7,900 Library Services and Technology Act 2022 (LSTA 22) grant award, administered by the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, the library announced in a press release.

The grant runs through Aug. 31, 2023 and allows implementation through partnerships with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Autism Research, the Ocean County Health Department and Parents Of Autistic Children (POAC).

Through the grant, each branch will be equipped with iPads containing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps, giving accessibility to costly adaptive technology, the library said.

"Training and education will aim to enhance capacity and skills, improve practices and behaviors, teach age-appropriate child development skills, and mark literacy-related milestones," the library said.

Youth Services Librarian Kate Sanchez and Adult Services Librarian Leslie Karvan, of OCL’s Little Egg Harbor Branch developed the program for the library system.

"The Library aims to encourage lifelong learning through family literacy," said Karvan. "This grant will help us continue to provide resources to enhance quality of life in our Ocean County communities."

"We are grateful for the generous support of the New Jersey State Library," added Sanchez. "This grant will help the library continue to provide equitable technology, programming, and resources to the Ocean County community."

"Active engagement in our communities allows us to pinpoint needs that the Library can address," said Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn. "This program exemplifies the diligence and sensitivity of the librarians and staffers in our 21 branches and reading centers."

LSTA 22 funds are awarded to library projects that address literacy needs including, but not limited to, early literacy, family literacy, adult literacy, digital literacy and financial and English language learning activities. They are made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to address literacy needs and support literacy projects throughout New Jersey.