Dr. Hayes shared this thought last month when accepting an award for her work in health equity. It is such a succinct, practical, and effective concept for us all to consider, no matter how powerful (or power-less) our current situation seems to be. Access, quality, and equity are the focus of our work at Reach Out and Read, and where we know we can do things, right now, that will increase equity.

We also know our success is determined by relationships; from a parent and child together, to the doctor-family relationship, to the supports that Reach Out and Read staff provide to medical providers and practices, to the partnerships we help bridge in communities and across the state. Knowing that, we are delighted to take a moment to step back and celebrate the amazing impact that Reach Out and Read medical providers are having as they support children and families across the state through our new Reach Out and Read Washington report.

We are also very excited to share that Reach Out and Read Washington's Deputy Director, Jessica Mortensen, is the winner of the national 2016 Wyntress Smith Award! Announced at the National Reach Out and Read Conference in Boston on May 13th, this award recognizes a Reach Out and Read staff member who goes above and beyond and truly embodies the organization's core values of Passion, Excellence, Respect, and Innovation. We are proud that the award honors her for Washington's national leadership on assuring program quality.

While the quest to increase equity while improving outcomes for all young children across the state is a complicated process far from its goal, Reach Out and Read is making a real difference, on a large scale, right now. We are grateful for the opportunity to collectively do what we can, where we are, with what we have, even as we share the vision of what more could readily be! Please read our new report, and let us know what you think. Thank you for your support.