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Greetings!
"Beautiful board and story books are as much a part of my 'doctor bag' as my stethoscope and reflex hammer. Reach Out and Read is fun, cost effective, and most importantly, it works!"
-Mary Ann Woodruff, MD
We are pleased to share with you some of the latest news about Reach Out and Read programs in Washington. Launched in 2007 with state early literacy funding, Reach Out and Read Washington State partners in state and local early learning efforts. Reach Out and Read (ROR) doctors and nurses across the state talk with families every day about the importance of reading aloud with their young children, and send them home with brand news books. Encouraging parents to cuddle with and read to their children helps families know how important they are in their child's early learning, and builds relationships that last a life time.
Read on for some of our news, and stop by www.reachoutandreadwa.org to learn more. We would love to partner with you to bring ROR to the families in your community. Thank you for your support. |
| REACH OUT AND READ GROWS, PASSING 100 PROGRAM MILESTONE IN WASHINGTON STATE |
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 ROR serves over 57,000 children and families in 23 counties
During challenging economic times, it is especially important to make sure families have books to share with their young children. We are delighted to welcome new Reach Out and Read programs across the state, bringing us to 101 medical practices. A special grant helped launch 9 new American Indian ROR programs this summer and fall. Our military partnerships have started programs for families at Madigan Army Hospital, McChord Air Force Base, Bremerton Navy Hospital, and Navy-Bangor; joining our existing program at Fairchild Air Force Base. Our community clinic partnerships continue to grow across the state, serving diverse populations and language groups. Learn more and see the full program list by county at Washington programs. |
| HELP PUT BOOKS IN CHILDREN'S HANDS |
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 Support Reach Out and Read while you shop for the holidays
You can help doctors put books into children's hands without spending an extra dime! If you do any shopping online via amazon.com, a portion of your purchase can support ROR across Washington state. Simply go to www.reachoutandreadwa.org and click on the amazon.com logo on the left bottom corner of the page to begin your shopping. If you click through and make a purchase, at least 4% will go directly to Reach Out and Read in Washington! This is an ongoing partnership for us, so please take this extra step before shopping at Amazon and share this opportunity with your friends and family.
Please consider also making a direct tax-deductible donation to Reach Out and Read: Donate on Line. Just $5 can help place a beautiful book where it belongs, in a child's home! |
| PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS 11,000 NEW BOOKS |
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 Toys for Tots Literacy Program and UPS Stores support Reach Out and Read across Washington
ROR Washington State fundraises to provide books to our programs to help them serve local families. Thanks to this partnership, Reach Out and Read programs received 11,000 new books to give to young children across Washington. "Today's economic challenges further highlight the ongoing need to make sure families have books at home to share with their children. Reach Out and Read doctors will give these books to children across Washington, as they talk with parents about the importance of reading aloud with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We are humbled by the generosity of the people of Washington State and thankful to Toys for Tots and The UPS Store for their efforts in helping to support young families," said Dr. Jill Sells, Director of Reach Out and Read Washington State. Read more. |
| PARENTS TRUST HEALTH PROVIDERS |
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Reach Out and Read provides what Washington families with young children say they need
 A statewide parent needs assessment conducted for the Washington Department of Early Learning (2008) found that Washington parents trust health care providers the most as a source of early learning information; and 69% of parents want information about ways to support (a child's) early reading skills. ROR brings support to families where they already are; their child's doctor's office. Families automatically get information, encouragment, and new books from someone they know and trust. So in addition to implementing a program that works, Reach Out and Read is making life easier for parents across Washington State. |
| REACH OUT AND READ WORKS |
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 13 published research studies demonstrate Reach Out and Read's impact on school readiness
Doctors, children and families love ROR, but it's even more important to know that it works! A 20 year history of programs is supported by rigorous research showing efficacy. Compared to those not receiving ROR, when families participate: parents read aloud more often, children and parents report more positive attitudes about reading aloud, and children show improvement in language development. Review the research and learn more. |
| WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE |
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Reach Out and Read presents to Early Learning and Children's Services Committee 
Drs. Sells and Woodruff spoke about the Reach Out and Read program and our statewide efforts during a House committee work session in Olympia. ROR Washington was launched with funds from the state Reading Achievement Account, created by the legislature. Captured by TVW, the 45 minute presentation provides an overview of how the ROR works in medical practices, and how we are connecting with early learning partners across the state. We also link to it from our home page at www.reachoutandreadwa.org. |
| FEDERAL PRESCRIBE A BOOK ACT |
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 Legislation will support Reach Out and Read
We are thrilled to have Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressmen McDermott and Dicks co-sponsor the Prescribe a Book Act (PABA). The legislation asks Congress to authorize federal funding for pediatric early literacy promotion. Reach Out and Read has received federal funding for 10 years. This will, for the first time, codify this support and authorize federal funding for pediatric early literacy promotion. This will directly benefit children and families across Washington State. (Congressman (and Dr.) Jim McDermott reads to children at our Roosevelt Clinic; photo Clare McLean, UW Medicine). | |
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During this holiday season, we send good wishes to you, your loved ones, and families across Washington state. We hope for a new year that brings peace, economic recovery, and a new commitment to meeting the needs of young children and families. Thank you for what you do to help make children's dreams come true.
Jill Sells MD, Director
Page Pless, Program Director
Mary Ann Woodruff MD, Medical Director
About Us
Founded in 2007, Reach Out and Read Washington State makes books part of a healthy childhood through support for Reach Out and Read programs across Washington. We are part of the national, evidence-based Reach Out and Read Program, celebrating it's 20th anniversary in 2009.
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