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Greetings!
Reach Out and Read prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.
We are pleased to bring you the latest news from Reach Out and Read Washington State. At the heart of all we do are the children and families whose lives we touch each day. In order to serve them, we need the support of our public and private partners.
We want to take a moment to thank all of the legislators who worked so hard to protect children and families, especially during this very challenging session. We are particularly thankful to receive support for Reach Out and Read in the budget signed by Governor Gregoire on May 4th. This state investment will help ensure that Reach Out and Read continues to serve over 57,000 children and their families, while helping leverage additional private and federal resources.
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| WHAT LEGISLATORS ARE SAYING ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ.... | |
 "Despite an extremely tough budget, I am very pleased that the legislature recognized the value and importance of the Reach Out and Read program. Dr. Sells and her fellow advocates are to be congratulated for their excellent work. Their passion and commitment to the children of our state is an inspiration to us all." -Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Spokane
"I am a firm believer that if you want to empower children, grow potential, and eradicate the achievement gap, and to get them ready to compete in the global economy, we must teach our children to read well and read often. Reach Out and Read is a fantastic program that is helping our young become lifelong learners. This appropriation is good fiscal policy."
-Senator Claudia Kauffman, Kent
"Promoting literacy at the earliest age possible is one of the best things families can do for their children. Reading and language skills set the foundation for lifelong learning, and that's why state dollars spent on early learning are among the best long-term education strategies." -Representative Ruth Kagi, Shoreline
"Though the state budget was extremely difficult this year, the legislature has come to recognize the tremendous value in programs like Reach Out and Read that empower parents to be their children's first teachers. Doctors providing free books to families during office visits and advocating to young parents about the importance of reading to their kids strengthens the parent-child bond and goes a long way in assuring that kids will be ready for school." -Representative Maureen Walsh, Walla Walla
"I love the Reach Out and Read program. It does wonders for our children in giving them a fresh start in both education and life. I am excited and proud that in the Legislature, we have confirmed our dedication to early learning and continued our support of Reach Out and Read."
-Representative Eric Pettigrew, Renton and Seattle |
| CULTURE OF LITERACY PARTNERSHIPS BEGIN | |
Thrive by Five Washington, Department of Early Learning and Reach Out and Read Team Up
 Four new community partnerships support the expansion of Reach Out and Read in Washington. Thrive by Five's Culture of Literacy Initiative, in partnership with the Department of Early Learning, is now funding four community early learning coalitions to expand early literacy opportunities. We are excited about these new partnerships, and what they will mean to children and families across Washington.
The grantees are:
Chelan Douglas Early Learning Coalition
Inland Northwest Early Learning Alliance (Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens counties)
Olympic Kitsap Early Learning Coalition (Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and North Mason counties)
Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition
Each of these grantees is partnering with RORWA to expand and support Reach Out and Read programs in 2010. Many of the communities have identified the specific clinics that they
would like to recruit, including Indian health centers, community health centers, rural clinics and pediatric offices. We hope to welcome eleven new programs to the Reach Out and Read family through these partnerships.
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| DEER PARK CLINIC LAUNCHES WITH FANFARE | | Spokane Media Capture the Heart of the Story
 "Children who visit Dr. Daniel Moorman for their wellness check-ups get more than the routine physical exam. They also receive a brand new book, plus the experience of being read to by their own pediatrician." The Spokesman-Review presents a feature story Deer Park doctor provides prescription for literacy. This highlights our newest Reach Out and Read program, at the Community Health Association of Spokane's North County Clinic. On the day the program was launched, Reach Out and Read was featured live on KREM 2 News at Noon in Spokane. RORWA Director Dr. Jill Sells was interviewed while video was shown of RORWA Medical Director Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff, implementing Reach Out and Read in her office. The launching of the North County CHAS Clinic marked the start of a new partnership between Reach Out and Read and the Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning.
Photo Jesse Tinsley |
| U.S. DEPT OF EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT | |
Reach Out and Read Washington to be featured at National Reading Institute this Summer
 Each year the U.S. Department of Education hosts an event called the Reading Institute. This year for the first time, the Reading Institute will feature a separate group of presentations that are focused on early learning. The Early Learning and Development Strand: Birth to Third Grade is a collaborative effort between the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This strand was developed in order to reach broader audience of early childhood stakeholders, and to encourage cross-discipline partnerships to support young children and families.
Reach Out and Read was invited to present a session featuring Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff, RORWA Medical Director and Dr. Perri Klass, the ROR National Medical Director. Drs. Woodruff and Klass' workshop is titled Reach Out and Read and Early Literacy in the Doctor's Office: Promoting School Readiness by Guiding Parents and Connecting with Communities. Reach Out and Read Washington State has a unique approach to integrating our work across disciplines, in a systems-building way, through our longstanding work with Kids Matter. We are now working closely with the Culture of Literacy Initiative and the Early Learning Plan. We look forward to talking about our public-private partnerships with the Department of Early Learning and Thrive by Five Washington, and with libraries and communities, in this national venue. |
| ABC WORLD NEWS FEATURES REACH OUT AND READ | | American Heart: Earl Phalen, Teaching Kids to Read.
 The real genius of "Reach Out and Read" is that reading takes on the power of a doctor's prescription. "When your doctor says, 'This is good for your child's health,' 99 percent of us will do something," says Earl Phalen, Reach Out and Read CEO in a article featured on ABC World News web site. Reach Out and Read was featured in their American Heart segment, Earl Phalen, Teaching Kids to Read on March 23rd. Photo courtesy Reach Out and Read National Center |
| PARENT MAP HONORS EARLY LEARNING LEADERS | |
Reach Out and Read Director among the Superheroes
Photo by Will Austin  | Reach Out and Read Washington State Director, Dr. Jill Sells is humbled to be honored as a Superhero for Washington Families by ParentMap Magazine alongside extraordinary child advocates Dr. Kathryn Barnard, Paola Maranan, and Eric Pettigrew, among others. A nurse, Kathryn was honored as "The Healer" for her groundbreaking work around parent-child interactions, and infant mental health over many decades. Paola was honored as "The Advocate" for her leadership of the Children's Alliance, and dedication to advancing the causes of children across the state. Eric was honored as "The Lawmaker" for his policy work on behalf of children. Jill was honored as "The Visionary" for her work with Reach Out and Read. She is pictured in the story with daughter, and avid reader, Mari, age 9.
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| HELP PUT BOOKS IN THE HANDS OF CHILDREN | | Support Reach Out and Read while you shop
 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.
Photo courtesy of Reach Out and Read National Center |
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Reach Out and Read is an integral part of early learning systems across Washington state. Our medical providers are supporting parents, and helping make sure children have the services they need to experience optimal health and early learning. Reach Out and Read Washington state is building relationships between our programs and other early learning programs and systems, so that together we can help all children be healthy and ready for success in school and life. These efforts are vital to the future of each child, and to our state. We thank you for your support.
Jill Sells MD, Director
Mary Ann Woodruff MD, Medical Director Page Pless, Program Director Patricia M. Hennessy, Community Development 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, now in its 21st year. |
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