ROCKLAND — Ronald McDonald children’s Charities of Maine awarded $1,318 to Mid-Coast Children’s Services to help fund the Family Focused Literacy Project.

The Family Focused Literacy Project, developed by Georgia Zwartjes of Child Development Services, is a pioneer program which will be overseen by Alan Letourneau, director of Mid-Coast Children’s Services and Zwartjes who serves as literacy consultant to MCS. The grant will enable MCS to purchase books and audio-visual materials to use for this program.

This program will allow many children in the midcoast service area, which encompasses Knox County, Waldoboro, Lincolnville and several offshore islands, to have books brought to them on a regular basis by home teachers and parent resource workers. By giving these children an early exposure to books that they may not normally get, it will give them an opportunity to expand their knowledge base and curiosity. Reading to preschool children enhances verbal and listening skills and increases their chances for success once they enter school.

Mid-Coast Children’s Services is a private noon-profit organization which works cooperatively with Child Development Services, a statewide agency which provides screening, evaluation and services for children from birth to age 5 who are handicapped or at risk for developmental delay.

Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Maine was established in 1989 to award grants to non-for-profit organizations helping children in the following areas: health care and medical research, specially designed rehabilitation facilities and living centers, such as the Ronald McDonald House, and special-education programs.