| Support Reach Out and Read in Washington | |
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Greetings!
Happy 2011! As we turn the calendar page to a new year, we acknowledge the very real challenges presented by the economy. We will be in Olympia and in communities across the state working to sustain Reach Out and Read programs serving more than 65,000 children and families. But we maintain the sense of optimism warranted by the amazing people of the state of Washington. Every day we bear witness to parents working hard to help their children be healthy, happy and ready for success in school. We see doctors encouraging parents to read, as they watch chubby little hands grab at books with delight. Every day is a fresh start. Each day is an opportunity to support parents and inspire the amazing mind and heart within every young child. Read on to learn about efforts to move our state forward in early learning, and see how communities come together to support Reach Out and Read and the families we serve. We know that we will make a difference today, and we look forward to working with you this year! Jill, Mary Ann, Patricia and Jessica |
| REACH OUT AND READ REACHES 28TH COUNTY | | |
Communities embrace  Reach Out and Read
We welcome doctors and their staff in Lincoln and Kittitas County to the Reach Out and Read program for the first time this month. We are delighted to now have 116 programs in 28 counties across Washington, including substantial growth among military, tribal and community health clinics. See our updated Program List and Map. |
| REACH OUT AND READ KEY NEXT STEP FOR STATE | |
Early Learning Partnership prioritizes Reach Out and Read in 2011
The Department of Early Learning, Thrive by Five Washington and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction released their 2011 Priority Strategies from the Early Learning Plan(ELP). The ELP strategy "Increase Use of Early Literacy Services and Programs," which includes Reach Out and Read, is highlighted as an approach to Ready and Successful Children. Research shows that early language development and literacy skills are vital precursors to success in school. As a program that supports parents as their child's first teacher, in partnership with communities across the state, Reach Out and Read also addresses two other priority strategies: Provide More Parent Learning Opportunites and Build Statewide Infrastucture for Partnerships and Mobilization. |
| SEATTLE ROTARY SUPPORTS REACH OUT AND READ | |
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Dr. Julian Perez, SeaMar Community Health Center and family |
1,900 books were purchased and delivered to International Community Health Services (ICHS) and Sea Mar Community Health Center clinics in Seattle because of a generous contribution from Seattle Rotary to Reach Out and Read. "The Youth and Schools and Early Learning Committee of Seattle Rotary 4 is thrilled to be able to support this project," said Nina Auerbach, President and CEO of Thrive by Five Washington, and a Rotary member. "We recognize the importance of access to books for children and families as a critical factor in encouraging early literacy. Pediatricians are such a trusted source for parents that it only makes sense that they would be important messengers around the importance of reading to young children." Both clinics serve low-income families who often cannot afford to purchase books for their children. "By providing parents with books and anticipatory guidance during well child checks, we give parents the resources they need to nurture a lifelong love of reading", says Dr. Aikhue Nguyen from ICHS. "The kids love it. You see their eyes light up as soon as we give them the book." |
| BIRTH THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR LITERACY | |
Reach Out and Read helps to align state literacy efforts, starting from birth. Reach Out and Read is pleased to be part of the new State Literacy Team, convened by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Created to help develop a State Literacy Plan to support children from birth through high school, this is an exciting opportunity to put into action the 'continuum of education' that has become the focus of our work in Washington since the Department of Early Learning was created. "It is exciting to work with our library and other early learning partners, teachers and other K-12 specialists; all dedicated to assuring children in Washington develop the literacy skills that set the stage for success in school and life," said Dr. Jill Sells, Reach Out and Read Washington Director, and member of the state team. Under OSPI's leadership, the Team is tasked with developing a plan by a February 1st. Doing so will not only help us align important efforts in Washington State, but make Washington eligible to apply for new federal funds through the U.S. Department of Education's Striving Readers Literacy Initiative. |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS SPOTLIGHT | | |
Reach Out and Read Washington  makes national news
We are excited to be the featured grantee for the national Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program. Our partnership approach to Improving School Readiness in Washington State through Reach Out and Read is unique in the nation. Read about our work, including the inspirational story of how pediatrician Dr. Lily Lo launched a new Reach Out and Read program with a community-wide celebration of reading in rural Lewis County. We appreciate the support of this federal funding, which requires and leverages public and private dollars here in Washington. The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program is a cooperative agreement between the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). |
| 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 Pediatrics Northwest PS, Tacoma
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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK | | |
Reach Out and Read Washington State is now on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user, we would appreciate your support as we work to build our presence and increase awareness about our work. Please indicate you LIKE us. If you could also suggest our Facebook page to your friends, that would go a long way in helping us spread our message about early literacy - thanks! |
| ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE | |
Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Our evidence-based, proven program leverages the volunteer time of doctors to make literacy a standard part of well-child visits. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher. Through 116 programs in 28 counties, over 700 medical providers serve more than 65,000 children and families.
Founded in 2007, Reach Out and Read Washington State supports programs across the state. We are part of the national, evidence-based Reach Out and Read Program, now in its 21st year.
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