Innovative efforts to improve Utah literacy garnered special recognition by Lt. Governor Olene Walker at the Second Annual Literacy Summit in Sandy, Utah.

The Utah Power Fund/PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, Price City Library, Karen Ashton from the Ashton Family Foundation and Dr. Bonnie Morgan of the Utah State Office of Education each received the 2002 Lt. Governor’s Literacy Award. The award honors the achievements of leaders in the fields of business, library, community and education.

Utah Power Fund/PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was honored for its investments in progressive programs to enhance literacy in the state. In 2002, the Foundation announced a three-year, $1 million investment in early childhood literacy. The Foundation proactively selected three programs that focus on developing early reading skills as a foundation for education.

One of the three programs includes the Utah Motheread/Fatheread program — a family literacy program using reading and discussion of children’s literature that identifies and works with families of at-risk children early in their development through Head Start and Even Start programs.

"The Pacificorp Foundation for Learning's programs truly make a difference for Utah’s children and families," said Lt. Governor Walker. "I applaud its investment and its efforts to work toward making our communities better."

According to the Foundation, independent evaluations of participating programs show an average gain of one grade level in reading for those participating in the program. Through the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, Mothereads/Fathereads plans to expand the program to all 77 Head Start and Even Start programs in the state, reaching approximately 2,400 new families over three years.

"It’s gratifying to be associated with this proven family literacy program," said Isaac Regenstreif, PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning’s executive director. "We have great partners in Head Start and Even Start teachers, as well as the Utah Humanities Council. It’s an honor to have Lt. Governor Walker, a literacy expert in her own right, bestow this award."