Indy Reads receives $150K grant to launch health literacy program
Indy Reads received a $150,000 grant from The MolinaCares Accord and Molina Healthcare of Indiana to develop and pilot a new health literacy program aimed at improving health outcomes for adults in central Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A local mission to help adults and families build literacy is getting a significant financial boost to improve health outcomes across central Indiana. Indy Reads has received a $150,000 grant from The MolinaCares Accord, in partnership with Molina Healthcare of Indiana, to design and pilot a new health literacy program. Ruba Marshood, CEO ofIndy Reads, told WISH-TV that reading skills are closely correlated to wellness indicators across society. “As we can help folks build their health literacy and their agency in understanding their wellness, following doctor’s orders, managing prescriptions, and managing care plans, we hope to help build an Indiana that’s healthier,” Marshood said. In Indiana, one in six adults—nearly 20% of Hoosiers—reads at or below a fifth-grade level. Additionally, 56% of adults in the state have multiple chronic conditions. Navigating healthcare benefits, filling out insurance forms, and understanding instructions from a doctor can be especially challenging for individuals with limited reading proficiency. The grant will fund the development of two curriculum modules covering a wide range of essential topics, including how to navigate the health system, preventive care, communicating with providers, chronic disease basics, maternal health, and mental health. The funding will also support the creation of student materials and instructor lesson plans. Indy Reads, which serves nearly 500 adult students across central Indiana, plans to pilot the modules in a Literacy Foundations class during its first year. The organization will assess what participants learn and how the program helps them navigate the healthcare system, using classroom feedback to refine the curriculum before expanding it to a wider audience. “The goal is to give people practical tools to understand their health, communicate with providers, and make informed decisions about their care, so that more Hoosiers can take charge of their own health,” Marshood said. Those interested in Indy Reads’ programs or looking for assistance can visit their community bookstore in Fountain Square or go online toindyreads. org. This story was formatted for WISHTV. com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.