A Message from Executive Director Brian Gallagher...

 

Dear Colleagues

How many times has each of us written, and said, that the Reach Out and Read program "starts at 6 months"? While this has explicitly been our model, and this message has been successful through the years, we know that the relationship of parents with their child's doctor starts in the first few days of a child's life (if not before). And we are all familiar with the mounting evidence that interacting with babies from day 1 improves their overall development. It's not so much that our model is changing, as many of our medical providers already discuss the importance of talking, reading and singing within the first few months of life. It's more that we must now reflect that practice by including the first six months when we talk about our program.

 

Becoming a newborn to 5 year program (we'll still officially integrate the first children's book at 6 months) is a key organizational goal for 2015, and our focus on this topic is generating a great deal of excitement within our network, as well as with many external partners. We are leveraging ideas from all the various stakeholders of Reach Out and Read and we welcome your input - so please continue to follow up with Gretchen with your ideas and questions on this topic. We'll keep you all updated on our progress.

 

I am excited to announce two new members to the national Board of Directors:  Dr. Dipesh Navsaria and Susan Hildreth - these much-honored Reach Out and Read advocates are introduced in more detail below.

 

I am equally delighted about our new colleagues, KT Merseles, the Programs Data and Systems Specialist, and Nikki Shearman, the Communications Manager.  Both have jumped right into their respective roles, bringing new ideas and perspective to our organization. 

 

As part of improving communications within our network, we are remodeling the Leadership Bulletin.  We hope you enjoy some of the changes in this issue, and plan to introduce more - Nikki would love to hear your ideas and comments.

 

With appreciation,

Brian

 
Start-Up Timeline
Letters of Support/Disbursements due: 4/20
Application review: 4/22
Coalitions notified of Approved needs training/Approved wait-listed sites: 4/23
Scholastic account request sent for active sites: 4/23
Coalitions notified of active sites: 4/30
Please continue advertising our Micro-lectures and Train-the Trainer Webinars

Help our Reach Out and Read providers keep up-to-date with practical input from pediatricians in 30 minute micro-lectures. 

Click here for details

National Center and Coalition Fundraising

Please review this updated list before approaching a new funder. The list includes all proposals for $10K+ in the last 5 years. Contact Maddy if you have questions!

Reach Out and Read in the news

Reach Out and Read press coverage in Feb/Mar 2015
Two Dynamic "Prescribe a Book" Advocates Join the Reach Out and Read Board
The Reach Out and Read Board of Directors is very pleased to welcome two new members, Dipesh Navsaria and Susan Hildreth, who both bring their extraordinary talent and vision to the organization. Dipesh and Susan are both strong Reach Out and Read advocates, and are characterized by their ability to think across boundaries, using their respective specialties in pediatric medicine and librarianship to.... Read more

Coalition Corner
Our new-style Coalition Corner will be featuring the creative ideas that Reach Out and Read coalitions are using in their fundraising and programs that might help other coalitions. If you would like to share any ideas please let Nikki know. 

This week we are highlighting an  infographic prepared by the Carolinas coalition, as a good way of presenting data in an interesting and eye-catching format for supporters.
Reach Out and Read
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