Chippewa County, MI –Chippewa County Health Department (CCHD) is excited to announce the 1000th book handed out through the Book Ladder program. Book Ladder is a community-supported program that provides age-appropriate books for Chippewa County children during Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program visits.
The Book Ladder program launched on August 18th, 2025 with the simple goal of giving children a new book of their own to take home from their WIC visits. Book Ladder was the idea of CCHD Executive Assistant Jill Schaefer, “We want to children to love books and reading. They get so excited that the book is theirs to take home. It has been exciting for our staff too!” Book Ladder is supported entirely through donations from local businesses and individuals.
Women and children enrolled in the WIC program attend appointments twice a year with Chippewa County Health Department WIC program staff to receive nutrition education, breast feeding support, referrals for other services, and have health and growth checks for the children. During these visits the Book Ladder program provides each enrolled child a book of their own to take home.
“Letting kids pick out and take home their own brand-new book is a pleasant way to end every WIC appointment. Seeing the smiles on the Kids’ faces is the highlight of my job. I hope that the Book Ladder Foundation helps families pleasantly remember their time in the WIC program.“, said CCHD WIC Program Clerk Michaela Crane.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that provides nutritious foods and education to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. To learn more about the WIC program visit www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/wic, or call 906-635-3577 to talk to local WIC program staff.
If you would like to support Book Ladder, please contact Jill Schaefer at 906-635-3630.
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