English Media: Cassandra Lane 213.416.1391 or [email protected] Spanish Media: Claudia Sarmiento 213.416.1335 or [email protected] MEDIA ADVISORY April 6, 2015 LAUP Will Launch Vocabulary-‐building Toolset to Close 30-‐Million Word Gap between Low-‐ and High-‐Income Children As a part of LAUP’s Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action, the Tool Aims to Teach Parents and Caregivers How to Engage Their Children in Positive, Open-‐Ended Conversations WHO: LAUP will launch its “Take Time. Talk!” tool, as part of the rollout of its Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America commitment, made in June 2014. WHAT: LAUP will host a launch event to feature a panel discussion with experts addressing the issue of the 30-‐million word gap, early vocabulary and family engagement. Expert panelists will include Dr. Anne Fernald, Director of the Center for Infant Studies at Stanford University; Dr. Celia C. Ayala CEO of LAUP; Alex Johnson, Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund -‐ California; and Camille Maben, Executive Director of First 5 California. Education journalist Deepa Fernandes of KPCC/SCPR will moderate. WHY: Studies show that by the time children reach a mere three years old, a 30-‐million word gap exists between children of the lowest and highest income families. LAUP and its partners are determined to combat this gap. WHERE: Los Angeles Central Library | Mark Taper Auditorium 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 WHEN: Monday, April 13, 2015, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. For more information about this event, contact Benjamin Bove: 213.416.1877 or [email protected] For more information on the “Take Time. Talk!” campaign, please visit www.laup.net/TakeTimeTalk. About LAUP LAUP is a nonprofit that funds, rates and raises the level of quality preschool programs throughout Los Angeles County by advancing teacher training and creating safe and nurturing early care and education environments. Since its inception 10 years ago, LAUP has provided quality preschool to more than 100,000 children, putting them on the road to success for kindergarten and beyond. # # #