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Greetings!
Fall is flying by, and the chill is definitely settling in, with starry black nights interspersed with cloud covers. Each day we arise not knowing whether we will see another gorgeous bout of sunshine, or a dreary, rainy day. Unfortunately, the economic news is trending to the dreary side on all fronts. Congress is facing continued gridlock that puts children's health and education services at risk, and Reach Out and Read's national funding remains in budget limbo. Here in Washington, funding for Reach Out and Read and other early learning programs could potentially be cut during the upcoming special session in Olympia. So we ask for your support in encouraging legislators to continue to fund a vital part of our evidence-based program, and early learning in general. Economists agree that the best return on investment is in early learning! The state is investing only about two dollars for each of the more than 70,000 children served this year by Reach Out and Read---but this tiny amount is vital to our ability to leverage federal and private support, as well as the great partnerships you'll read about in this newsletter.
Together we must roll up our sleeves and maintain both hope and positive action. We owe that to our children, and to our future. So today we call attention to every child's heroes--the moms and dads who get up, face their own challenges, and do everything they can to make this a good place for their children to grow up. Reach Out and Read supports families. Our doctors touch the parents of as many little people as we can, in all corners of this state, and, as you will see, even parents who are off fighting distant wars. We are inspired by the further step that many parents take to help other kids and families. Today's actions related to MomsRising and Mom Congress are perfect examples of that. And lest you think we have forgotten about the ever-important dads in children's lives, we are delighted with the focus on fathers in the NBC News story.
So please read on, and join us in supporting children and families by taking action; so that all children have books, and parents who are able to support early language and literacy at home.
With appreciation,
Jill Sells MD and The Reach Out and Read Washington State Team
....because Reading Is Doctor-Recommended |
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MomsRising Halloween Congressional Campaign
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E-Cards tell Congress not to trick our kids out of their future. Reach Out and Read Washington State is working with MomsRising and our other Early Learning Action Alliance partners to highlight the importance of federal investments in early learning. MomsRising has created a customizable Halloween E-Card that is available here between now and October 31st.
We're spreading the idea that Halloween gives kids a day of dress up; while early education gives them a lifetime of possibilities. Budget numbers are flying around like bats on Halloween night right now-- we need to make sure Congress understands how important early childhood education is in the budget. In less than 60 seconds you can create your card, type in your zip code, and it'll magically fly with all the other cards to your Congress members! On November 1st, the E-Cards will be delivered en mass to Congress urging legislators not to cut funding for programs benefiting children. We urge you to write a short message like "This Halloween you can do more than watch kids dress up, you can help them reach their dreams. Support early literacy and early education to help prepare kids for success in school and life."
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NBC Nightly News Features Reach Out and Read
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Making a Difference spot highlights fathers, and support for military families. We are thrilled that Reach Out and Read was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams last week. This piece demonstrates beautifully how Reach Out and Read supports parents, enhances parent-child bonding, and reduces stress while promoting early literacy skills. Particularly in this economy, many families of young children are facing significant stresses which challenge parents' ability to support their kids, and kids' ability to learn. In addition to highlighting the special role of our military programs, it is also important to note that military familes are served in communities across the state, not just at bases, particularly during long deployments. We are grateful to those who serve our country, and for the dedication of the medical providers who support the children and families of military service members, and all parents of young children.
 | | Reach Out and Read on NBC Nightly News |
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Reach Out and Read Partners with Mom Congress
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Book drive to support Washington Families and Reach Out and Read begins.
Reach Out and Read is excited to announce a partnership with a mom-powered, national grass roots effort this Fall. Mom Congress has created Books Make it Better, a movement to support early literacy efforts, with a focus on contributing to Reach Out and Read. Washington State Mom Congress Delegate Renee Berry started this effort with her colleagues in Oregon and California, and now it's going national! Berry, the Director of Evergreen Christian Preschool of Olympia, is a local mom who sought out a partnership with our program because "as a mom, educator, and member of the community, I felt inspired by the organization and the lasting impact on our children. I decided to partner with Reach Out and Read and do what I could in helping children learn how to read. Together, across the nation, we can put books in the hands of our future." Berry is leading a local book drive, in conjunction with a statewide "virtual" book drive that will support Reach Out and Read in Washington. Read more about Books Make It Better.
Please support this mom-led effort to get books into the hands of kids across our state through Mom Congress' Virtual Book Drive. Even $5 can make a difference today!
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New York Times Articles Highlight Parent Role in Early Language Development
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From researchers to pediatricians, the message on supporting language is the same. In her New York Times column, Reach Out and Read Medical Director Dr. Perri Klass shares the work of Dr. Patricia Kuhl at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS). Klass' article, entitled "Hearing Bilingual: How Babies Sort Out Language,"describes how the University of Washington is leading research on how babies learn language. The article shares the latest insights gleaned from babies hearing more than one language at home. Perhaps the most important take-home message is that babies learn language from people, not from screens. According to Dr. Kuhl, "They need to be face to face, interacting with other people."
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the same point, as highlighted in the National Conference and Exhibition this week in Boston. "Screen time provides no educational benefits for children under age 2 and leaves less room for activities that do, like interacting with other people and playing," quotes the New York Times in the story "Parents Urged again to Limit TV for Youngest." Reach Out and Read doctors bring a book into each checkup with the core message that parents matter the most. Reading and talking with young children--in whatever languages they speak--are enjoyable and incredibly important parts of everyday life for parents and children.
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Help Put Books in the Hands of Children
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Support Reach Out and Read while you shop, or make a donation.
 If you shop at Amazon.com, a portion of your purchase can support us. 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 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.
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Reach Out and Read Washington State on Facebook
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Reach Out and Read Washington State is on Facebook. Please 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!
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About Reach Out and Read Washington State
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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 125 programs in 28 counties, over 800 medical providers serve more than 68,000 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, founded in 1989.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email - washington@reachoutandread.org
Telephone - 206-524-3579
Fax - 206-524-4768
Address - 155 NE 100th Street - Suite 301, Seattle WA 98125
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