From intention to understanding and back again: How a simple message of “Catch and Pass” can build language in children

Project ELLA (Early Language and Literacy for All) is a program of Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC) that aims to improve language and preliteracy outcomes for children from birth to age 5 and their caregivers in Cleveland communities. Project ELLA uses a public health approach that involves employing community health workers (CHWs) to increase awareness of the impact of responsive interaction for building language in infants and toddlers using a simple message: “Catch and Pass,” CHWs are in the community to provide training and build trust with families and to identify and refer children who need clinical services. Project ELLA also provides no-cost speech-language therapy and support for caregivers at CHSC locations and through outreach programs. Project ELLA evaluates its impact by tracking the number of children and families served, the progress of children in therapy, the knowledge and skills of caregivers and teachers, and the established partnerships in the community. Project ELLA is a novel and innovative model that can transform the landscape of language and literacy development in Cleveland and beyond. It amplifies the basics of The Speech Chain in the language-building role of caregivers of young children.