The State Government will provide funding of $540,000 to Raising Literacy Australia’s Read to Me – Out of Home Care program for the next three years, with children and their family-based carers set to benefit.
Read to Me sees South Australian children aged six and under in out of home care receive a quarterly package, which includes age-appropriate books to further promote their learning and positive adult-child interactions.
Ninety-seven per cent of carers believe the packages benefit children in their care, with 85 per cent of carers indicating it promotes further ‘together’ time.
The new funding commitment will see the program continue for the next three years.
In addition to the regular flow of new books, children also receive a Read to Me library bag, with carers receiving resources, including an activity book and role modelling DVD.
Since 2018 the number of carers reading to children in their care multiple times every week has increased by 50 per cent.
Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard said reading with children was a "lovely and important thing to do".
"It connects a caregiver and a child, takes them on a journey together and helps the child to improve their literacy," she said.
"The experience of a child and caring adult reading together and experiencing the many benefits that brings is particularly important for children who are going through tough times.
"This program ensures they have special, nurturing time with an adult where they are the focus. It is also exciting for them to receive their own brand-new books every few months.
"This program benefits children, allowing them to learn and experience positive interactions with adults.
"Every child in this State deserves access to education and to the lovely experience of reading with an adult, and that is why the Malinauskas Government is investing in this program for vulnerable children."
Raising Literacy Australia chief executive officer Kate Ellis said: "We are so grateful to the State government, the Lang Family Foundation, Variety the Children’s Charity and Cochrane’s Transport for supporting this program."
"This shows the power of South Australian organisations coming together to support some of the most vulnerable children in our state and prevent them from falling further behind.
"At Raising Literacy Australia we work to support all children have access to quality books but this program is particularly close to our heart. This is targeted to help the South Australian children who need it the very most."