Health and Human Services Administration

Wayne County's Department of Health and Human Services offers the County's two million residents a wide range of health services.

Through this one department, citizens can receive immunizations and public health information, mental health services, information on health care for a small business, Head Start program details, and many other Countywide services.

Our Mission
To promote and assure the health and quality of life of Wayne County individuals, families and communities. We do this by providing, maintaining, developing and coordinating a wide range of innovative and fiscally responsible health and human service delivery systems.

Reading Screens:
Developing Early Childhood Media Literacy

In today’s technologically based society, children are exposed to an array of visual media, including television, DVDs, computer software and the Internet. These mediums provide visual forms of communication, commonly known as “screens.” 

Young children construct meaning from this audiovisual information.  The meaning is a form of literacy – media literacy.  By reading screens, children obtain knowledge and learn.

However, children need the support of others to develop media literacy.

“Parents play a key role by interacting with children during media viewings,” said Cecelia Mobley, Wayne County’s Head Start Director, who stressed that technology cannot replace personal contact.  “Screens do not support the face-to-face and shared control interactions that typify children’s early language and print literacy experiences.”

Media, a powerful communication tool, can convey potentially harmful messages. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages children under age two viewing media screens for this reason. But no matter the age, parents should be proactive and selective in choosing the types of media their children view.

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