News

 

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Media and Events

 

April 11, 2012

The 2012 2nd Special Session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on April 11, 2012--and we retained our funding! We would like to thank the legislators who sent letters of support for Reach Out and Read’s funding to House and Senate budget leaders: Senators Nelson, Litzow, Frockt, Kohl-Welles, Rolfes, Harper, Kline, King and Conway; and Representatives Goodman, Pettigrew, Maxwell, Orwall, Roberts, Kenney, Pollet, Wylie, Billig, Kagi, Lytton and Haigh.

March 6, 2012

Dr. Sells and Dr. Woodruff met with Reach Out and Read leadres from across the nation in Washington DC to discuss best practices and strategize how toe grow and support programs across the nation. They then had the annual Reach Out and Read "Hill Day" with meetings with staff of nine members of Washington's Delegation, and with Congressman Jim McDermott himself, one of the few doctors in Congress. Our Washington meetings were part of 280 Reach Out and Read meetings that day!

February 23, 2012

Proliferation of e-devices does not change the core messages parents need to hear. Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Martin Phalen captured some great thoughts in Beyond Books: Thoughts on Children's Literacy Going High Tech. "What we do know is what we've always known: Children who are read to from an early age have a better chance of succeeding in school and in life than those who are not. That's the message we continue to spread. With research behind us, we know that engaged parents can make a serious and meaningful difference in their children's educational outcomes."  

January 31, 2012

In today's letter to the Seattle Times "We need more investment in literacy programs," Dr. Jill Sells notes that doctors want to help "fix" our educational system by supporting parents. To do so, we need the state to continue to invest in Reach Out and Read. 

January 30, 2012

Reach Out and Read releases a new national video!   Watch to see how Reach Out and Read supports parents and children as part of a national school readiness strategy.

December 16, 2011

Washington State wins $60 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant!  Reach Out and Read is the only parent engagement program highlighted in the outreach, awareness, and high reach strategy section of Washington's application. 

December 6, 2011

Reach Out and Read is excited to offer a great way for you to do your holiday shopping AND help put books in the homes of children across our state. Check out the link below and purchase gift cards to Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, or Barnes & Noble- a part of the proceeds of each will go straight to Reach Out and Read. Help Doctors Put Books in the Homes of Young Children in Washington State

November 30, 2011

Senator David Frockt's blog post Early learning and brain sciences at UW I-LABS notes important connections to Reach Out and Read's work, and the need for continued state funding.

Reach Out and Read Director Dr. Jill Sells testifies before the Senate Early Learning-K12 Education Committee (starting at 0:57:32), and the Senate Ways and Means Committee (starting at 0:50:08).

November 28, 2011

Reach Out and Read Washington State Director Dr. Jill Sells testifies about Reach Out and Read in front of the House Ways and Means Committee (starting at 1:14).

November 21, 2011 

Governor Gregoire releases her proposed supplemental budget, including complete elimination of state funding for Reach Out and Read.  Please contact your legislators to ask them to include funding for Reach Out and Read in their budget. Please speak up for children, and for our future.

October 11, 2011

Reach Out and Read's Military Initiative is featured on "Making a Difference on the Homefront."   Watch the video, and see how Reach Out and Read supports parents, enhances parent-child bonding, and reduces stress while promoting early literacy skills.

October 10, 2011

Reach Out and Read National Medical Director Perri Klass' New York Times column Hearing Bilingual: How Babies Sort Out Language  shares information from the University of Washington I-LABS.  Key take-home message-is that babies learn language from people, not from screens!

September 28, 2011

"Cradle to College and Career" efforts like The Road Map Project  in South King County are great examples of communities recognizing the importance of supporting education strategically starting at birth. Watch Community Center for Education Results Executive Director Mary Jean Ryan mention Reach Out and Read as she tells the story on NBC. 

August 2011

The Wiggles children's entertainment group donates a portion of their proceeds from shows at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.  The Australia-based Wiggles named Reach Out and Read as their official charity partner of their 2011 American tour. 

July 23, 2011

Families from all around came to Centralia today for Read and Romp, a free family event celebrating the joy of reading.  Supported by many early learning and other community partners, the 2nd annual event was presented by the Reach Out and Read Program at Northwest Pediatric Center in Centralia, Chehalis and Rochester.  Famlies gathered at Washington Park to join Clifford the Big Red Dog and Little Critter, while they visited stations with storybook themes. According to Dr. Lily Lo, a great time was had by all!  Read about the activities here, and plan your own community event!

July 13, 2011

This summer Reach Out and Read doctors in Kitsap County will hand families a special coupon, and encourage them to go to the library, as part of their regular Reach Out and Read visits. Today the Bremerton Sun ran an article on this partnership between Reach Out and Read, the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, Kitsap Regional Library and Reach Out and Read programs in Kitsap County.  Read Doctors prescribe regular library visits. 

July 13, 2011

Today the Anacortes American ran a front page story about Reach Out and Read, and local efforts to bring the program to all medical practices in Anacortes.  Read Program provides free books at wellness checks.

June 23, 2011 

Today a conference room at Island Hospital was packed with people ready to "move the needle" on early literacy. Thanks to the leadership of Mary Jo Christensen, Early Childhood Outreach Coordinator for the Anacortes School District, and Anacortes Children's Librarian Doug Woods, the event was standing room only.  Reach Out and Read Washington Director Dr. Jill Sells was invited to help celebrate and launch the community's effort. Superintendent Chris Borgen, school board members and many early learning supporters were in attendance.  Special thanks go to Dr. Jeanne Olmsted, pediatric champion for the new program, and to the Noon Kiwanis for providing initial funding.  (Photo of Dr. Olmsted, Dr. Sells and Ms. Christensen; courtesy Island Hospital)

June 23, 2011

GiveBIG! Rally your friends, support Reach Out and Read, and be part of one of the biggest days of giving in King County history.  Take The Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG challenge on June 23. Each donation made through The Seattle Foundation's online Giving Center on June 23, 2011 between 7am and midnight will be stretched further, thanks to support for GiveBIG from The Seattle Foundation and local businesses.  See the Reach Out and Read profile at the Seattle Foundation, and go there to donate. A great return on investment, that will put books in the hands of children in Washington state.

June 21, 2011 

Today Reach Out and Read launches its second annual Summer of a Million Books campaign to give a brand-new, age-appropriate book to one million children before International Literacy Day.  Reach Out and Read is a year-round program, giving families the tools and the guidance they need to prepare their children to succeed in school.  In order to accomplish our summer goal, Reach Out and Read's doctors and other medical providers must distribute 25,600 books every day between Monday, June 21 (First Day of Summer), and Thursday, September 8 (International Literacy Day). You can I help! Donate a book or sponsor a child online through Reach Out and Read's Virtual Book Drive.  Your donation will directly support children in Washington state.  Learn more about the Summer of a Million Books campaign.

May 25, 2011

The Washington state legislature adjourned today at the close of the special session, marking the end of a long legislative season, focused primarily on the devastating impact of the current economy.  Continuing funding for Reach Out and Read was included in the final state budget. We thank legislators for their recognition of the important role our program plays in supporting parents as their child's first teacher, and helping children across Washington state be ready for success in school.

May 16-19, 2011

Road trip to Northeast Washington provides opportunity to visit new programs.  Starting with Dr. Sells' in-person training for the North Basin Medical Clinic providers in Davenport, we were thrilled to travel to the Northeastern counties this week, visiting programs in Wellpinit, Inchelium, Chewelah, Usk, Deer Park, and Spokane.  It was wonderful to visit the dedicated doctors, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants who are now bringing Reach Out and Read to the families they serve.  Read more in our upcoming June newsletter. 

April 29, 2011

Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Phalen is interviewed today in Education Week.  Learn about Reach Out and Read's role in the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, an effort to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring all children can read well by 3rd grade. We at Reach Out and Read Washington State are pleased to be part of national and state initiatives to align our evidence-based birth through 5 program with other efforts to collectively improve 3rd grade reading success.

April 25, 2011

U.S. Army Medical Department features story "First Mike learns about Madigan reading program," folllowing up on our recent Reach Out and Read site visit with the new Commander and pediatric leadership at Madigan Army Hospital.

April 21, 2011

Dr. Dan Moorman, pediatrician lead for Reach Out and Read at CHAS Deer Park in Spokane, shares the importance of reading aloud in the Health Matters Television for Life Early Childhood Development special.  Dr. Moorman joins our partners Dr. Gina Lebedeva from I-LABS, and Mary Schauer from ESD 101, for a conversational overview of how young children learn in the context of relationships. Watch the one-hour TV special on Spokane's KSPS.   

April 17, 2011

Today Reach Out and Read is featured in the New York Times Sunday Education section.  Read Rx: Read to Your Baby to learn more about the program at NYU and Bellevue Hospital, and how Reach Out and Read supports parents and early literacy.  “When we talk about developing literacy,” said Jacqueline Jones, senior adviser for early learning at the United States Department of Education, “we have to understand it has to be grounded in a rich language understanding so that young children, and infants, need to be surrounded by people talking and talking a lot.” 

April 12, 2011

Today First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announced the Joining Forces Initiative; a national effort to support and honor America’s service members and their families. Reach Out and Read is proud to be a national partner, committing to increase our military programs to reach 200,000 children each year. Reach Out and Read Washington State's partnership with the First Gentleman to highlight our six military programs dovetails with this, and so today's announcement is also highlighted on the Governor's website.  

April 6, 2011

U.S. Army Medical Department features story "First Mike visits Madigan to hear about Reach Out and Read program"

March 29, 2011

Dr. Karen Fitzgerald and Commander Homas of Madigan Army Hospital welcome the First Gentleman Mike Gregoire on a tour of the Reach Out and Read Program at Madigan.

 March 23, 2011

Reach Out and Read Washington on "Dr. Kim Talks" is now available on line! Listen to Dr. Kim Thorburn on www.kyrs.org radio in Spokane feature Reach Out and Read via interviews with Dr. Jill Sells (Reach Out and Read Washington State Director) and Jill Johnson (Community Minded Enterprises, Spokane). Hear how Reach Out and Read’s community partnerships in Spokane and across Washington state are supporting parents and young children, so that children develop the early literacy skills that are vital to later success in school. (Live show date: 2/10/11)

March 18, 2011

United Ways of Washington highlights Reach Out and Read as the SINGLE BEST INVESTMENT OF THE WEEK: Support early literacy—the building block to language, reading, and writing development. Urge policymakers to maintain our state’s $300,000 investment in Reach Out and Read in the 2011-2013 budget.

March 15, 2011 

Reach Out and Read is featured in The Walla Walla Weekly.  Read "Doctors Prescribe Books: The Reach Out and Read program and local Early Learning Coalitions provide free books for famiies."

February 22, 2011

Mr. Ken Story from the Bellevue Rotary presents a $2100 grant for books for Reach Out and Read at Eastgate Public Health Clinic.  Pediatrician Dr. Diana Lindner gladly receives the check to support the program she helped found in 2008

  

February 10, 2011

Today on KYRS radio in Spokane, Washington, Dr. Kim Thorburn is hosting a live one- hour show on Reach Out and Read featuring Jill Johnson from Community Minded Enterprises in Spokane and Dr. Jill Sells, Reach Out and Read Washington Director.  Hear how Reach Out and Read’s community partnerships in Spokane and across Washington state are supporting parents and young children, so that children develop the early literacy skills that are vital to later success in school. Listen live online at www.kyrs.org.  In the Spokane area, listen to the broadcast on 92.3 FM or 89.9 FM. Learn about the show Dr. Kim Talks.  

February 4, 2011

The Northwest Navigator, the Puget Sound Navy News, highlights the new Everett Navy Reach Out and Read Program.  Read First Gentleman Visits Medical Clinic to learn more about our latest clinic supporting military families.

January 26, 2011

We were delighted to have the First Gentleman, Mike Gregoire help us welcome Naval Base Everett as one of our newest programs today.  Everett is now the 6th military facility participating in Reach Out and Read in Washington state.  A special thanks to Dr. Lynn Collins, a pediatrician who has worked for years to help bring Reach Out and Read to families in Everett. This clinic joins the Navy Hospital programs in Bremerton and Bangor, along with programs at Fairchild Air Force Base, Madigan Army Hospital, and McChord Air Force Base. We are deeply grateful for the commitment of all military personnel stationed in Washington or serving abroad, and are pleased that our program supports military parents and their children. Learn more about our Reach Out and Read Military Initiative.

January 19, 2011

The Washington State Senate Early Learning K-12 Commitee holds a work session on Early Learning, featuring Dr. Bette Hyde (Department of Early Learning), Nina Auerbach (Thrive by Five Washington) and Randy Dorn (OSPI). After a detailed background on their Early Learning Partnership activities and the Early Learning Plan, Dr. Sells and Dr. Woodruff present about the work of Reach Out and Read Washington State to the committee. See video at TVW.org, with Reach Out and Read starting at 1:30 into it.

January 13, 2011

Reach Out and Read Washington Director Dr. Jill Sells tesified before the House Education Appropriations Committee about the importance of early learning and Reach Out and Read.  Watch the video testimony starting at 45:50 to learn more. 

January 7, 2011

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.

December 15, 2010

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) for the first time today.  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 was exciting to be 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 1. 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 program.

December 1, 2010

The Washington State Birth to 3 Plan submitted to the Legislature represents the best and most current thinking, and partnerships around early learning.  The plan is a collaboration of key stakeholders ranging from grass root to grass top experts and analysts.  It calls out the growing diversity and vulnerability of infants and toddlers and the range of existing programs and supports that families use and need. In it, there are four policy recommendations on how to ensure parents, families and caregivers, early learning professionals and, communities are ready to support the healthy development of children and their school readiness.  The Plan recognizes parents as their children’s first and most important teacher, identifying Reach Out and Read as a way to positively impact a parent’s attitude toward reading and to increase their willingness to read more often with their infants and toddlers.   

November 24, 2010

It's rare that a single vote could decimate an entire segment of America's nonprofit sector and place millions of children and families in jeopardy, but that's exactly what's at stake in Monday's vote in the U.S. Senate on Amendment 4697.  Read Reach Out and Read CEO Earl Phalen's Earmark Ban Would Result in Catastrophic Cuts for Children in today's Huffington Post to learn how many nationally proven programs, including Reach Out and Read, are technically "earmarks", and a far cry from the 'bridge to nowhere' that might come to mind. 

November 4, 2010

Reach Out and Read was pleased to participated in today's Washington State symposium, Applying the Science of Early Childhood Development to State Policy and Practice.  The symposium was hosted by the Office of the Governor, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Health, Department of Early Learning and Thrive by Five Washington, and sponsored by Casey Family Programs. Dr. Jack Shonkoff from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, Dr. Robert Anda from the Centers for Disease Control, and Dr. Patricia Kuhl from I-LABS at the University of Washington were featured speakers.  Their research provided the foundation for discussions about state policies which would help enhance nurturing relationships for children, decrease the impact of adverse childhood experiences, and promote healthy child development and school readiness.  By providing one-on-one support to families, focusing on the parent-child relationship from the earliest months, and encouraging reading together, Reach Out and Read doctors address many of the strategies suggested by the research. The Symposium website documents the event and provides training and research materials on neurobiology and early child development, as well as Reach Out and Read Washington's policy document. 

October 21, 2010

Dr. Perri Klass, Reach Out and Read National Medical Director and Professor of Pediatrics and Journalism at NYU. presents to an enthusiastic audience of health providers at Seattle Children's Hospital Grand Rounds.  Click here to watch Reach Out and Read and the Art of Balancing: Children, Advocacy and Changing Pediatric Practice. Regional Director Dr. Jill Sells answered audience questions about Washington programs.

October, 2010

The October edition of the Spokane Tribe's Rawhide Press highlighted the start of the Reach Out and Read Program in Wellpinit, Washington. "We are very excited to be working with the David C. Wynecoop Memorial Clinic to bring books to young children in Wellpinit," said Dr. Jill Sells, Director of Reach Out and Read Washington State. This clinic was launched through our Cultural of Literacy partnership with the Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning and Thrive by Five Washington; and brings to 12 the number of Reach Out and Read programs partnering with tribal, Indian Health Service and Urban Indian clinics in Washington.

September 22-24, 2010

Our Reach Out and Read Washington team traveled to Boston for the national Reach Out and Read Leadership Meeting; an annual opportunity to learn, strategize, and network with our colleagues from across the country.  Presentations from researchers in early literacy and language development added up-to-date context for our work. We returned home inspired to continue to expand and enhance efforts to partner with doctors, and serve children and families across Washington state.  

September 1, 2010

Today the Washington State Early Learning Plan was officially released, with Reach Out and Read highlighted in Strategy #10, Early Literacy. “We must prepare Washington children to succeed in a global economy and we are making it clear that education in Washington begins long before kindergarten. We now know that children are born learning, and early learning helps Washington’s youngest learners be successful in school and in life,” says Governor Chris Gregoire. Read the Executive Summary  and watch DEL Director Bette Hyde and Thrive President and CEO Nina Auerbach talk about the plan on KING 5. 

August 19, 2010

Congressman Dave Reichert reads to children at the Eastgate Public Health Reach Out and Read Program.  Reach Out and Read is partially supported by federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education.  These federal funds help leverage state and local, public and private support for Reach Out and Read across the state.

August 9, 2010

Reach Out and Read Washington Director Dr. Jill Sells was pleased to visit the Columbia Valley Wenatchee and Chelan Clinics during National Health Center Week. Alan Walker, Executive Director of United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties, presented Reach Out and Read Program Coordinator Rebecca Schimelfenig, RN and CEO Patrick Bucknum with funding to help buy new books for their programs.   
"We are very excited to provide funding assistance to Columbia Valley Community Health in support of their Reach Out and Read program.This is truly a unique program bringing the medical community together to raise literacy rates, improve patient/doctor relations and give young children books to explore," said Walker. "Reading with children 20-minutes a day gives them one million words a year!  That is powerful education that will last a lifetime."  We extend our appreciation to Rebecca for more than 10 years of leadership, to Dr. Lori Ksander for being the physician champion, and to all the providers and staff who work hard to make sure each young child leaves his checkup with a brand new book. Columbia Valley has been participating in Reach Out and Read since 1998. 
    

July 26, 2010

Today the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) adopted the draft Washington State Early Learning Plan (ELP), a roadmap that will guide early learning efforts and partnerships across the state for years to come. Reach Out and Read Washington Director Dr. Jill Sells chaired the Child Health and Development Workgroup for the ELP. The Department of Early Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington have lead responsibility for implementing the Early Learning Plan, which includes many important strategies for ensuring all children in Washington are prepared to succeed in school and life. The three agencies released their draft Early Learning Partnership 3-Year Action Plan, which identifies a number of strategies that leverage resources and programs at the local, regional and state levels that are critical to the development of a comprehensive system for early learning. Supporting Ready and Successful Children, the ELP Strategy Increase Use of Early Literacy Services and Programs highlights Reach Out and Read and the Culture of Literacy Initiative.

July 24, 2010

The Northwest Pediatric Center in Centralia is one of our newest Reach Out and Read programs, and the clinic kicked off their new program in grand style!  Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George were on hand in Centralia on July 24th to introduce kids to 10 activity stations, each themed after a different children's book. A partnership with the Timberland Regional Library, Centralia College, the Lewis County Eye on Early Learning Coalition, and the Foundation for Early Learning, Read and Romp! brought the community together around a shared love of reading. This fun-filled day for kids of all ages was attended by over 400 children and their families.

July 19, 2010

Reach Out and Read Washington was featured at the U.S. Department of Education's Reading Institute, in the Early Learning and Development Strand: Birth to Third Grade, 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, Washington Medical Director and Dr. Perri Klass, the National Medical Director.  Drs. Woodruff and Klass' workshop Reach Out and Read and Early Literacy in the Doctor's Office: Promoting School Readiness by Guiding Parents and Connecting with Communities was well received. Reach Out and Read Washington State has a unique approach to integrating our work across disciplines, in a systems-building way, through work with Kids Matter, the Culture of Literacy Initiative and the Early Learning Plan. This was a great opportunity to talk 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.  

July 19, 2010

Thanks to the generous support of Providence Centralia Hospital, a new Reach Out and Read program is being launched in Centralia at the Northwest Pediatric Center.  Read Dr. Lily Lo's story Kids to Get Books at Health Check Ups featured in The Chronicle. 

June 29, 2010

Reach Out and Read Washington hosted a site visit as part of our 5-year Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program grant. Our project Improving School Readiness in Washington State through Reach Out and Read focuses on integrating Reach Out and Read and doctors into state and local early learning efforts. An AAP pediatrician and staff members led the site visit team. The meeting was attended by staff from the Reach Out and Read National Center in Boston, and our community partners and funders. It was powerful to hear Thrive by Five Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Washington State Departments of Early Learning and Health, the Boeing Company, United Ways of Washington, and the Foundation for Early Learning share how much they value the work Reach Out and Read doctors do each day with children and families.  

June 7, 2010 

Reach Out and Read Dr. Sheryl Morelli's letter Help Kids Get Head Start on Reading shows how Public Health-Seattle King County is responding to the call to promote early literacy.

June 5, 2010

Reach Out and Read Director Dr. Jill Sells' letter Readying Kids to Read in response to the The Seattle Times editorial "Read it and Weep" is published. Both pieces refer to the recently released report from Kids Count:  Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters. 

June 1, 2010

Reach Out and Read Washington's new video is released.  Highlighted on the upper right corner of our home page, this 5 minute video features Drs. Sells and Woodruff, and many Reach Out and Read families, and tells the story of our work.  Designed to help build partnerships to support Reach Out and Read programs, the video is available on DVD.  If you are interested in using the video, please contact us at .

May 26, 2010

The Army Ranger newspaper for the Fort Lewis area highlights Reach Out and Read, and the Classrooms that Care partnership. Popular reading program gets local boost: Madigan receives 3,000 books to hand out to military children.

May 21, 2010

Madigan News marks program milestones in Reach Out and Read marks second year at Madigan. 

May 16, 2010 

Longview Reach Out and Read Pediatrician Dr. Phyllis Cavens' editorial Early Education Encourages Success appears in The Daily News. "We here in Cowlitz County...are involved with the 10-year plan from Washington State's Department of Early Learning to ensure all our children are healthy and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten. Our community leaders are joining this effort because they recognize that our children are the future, and we are obligated to develop a plan to guide the work of everyone who cares for, works with, or is concerned about young children, so that the adults in children's' lives work collaboratively and toward unified goals," says Dr. Cavens, President of the Cowlitz Child Psychiatry/Early Learning Coalition.

May 3, 2010 

Deer Park doctor provides prescription for literacy. “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 on Reach Out and Read, and our newest program at the Community Health Association of Spokane’s North County Clinic.

April 30, 2010

Tacoma School Kids Support Young Military Families.   Thanks to the generosity of students participating in Scholastic’s ClassroomsCare program, hundreds more children of military families will receive a brand-new book through the Reach Out and Read program the next time they visit their doctor at Madigan Army Medical Center. Read more in The Tacoma News Tribune. 

April 2010

ParentMap Magazine features 10 Superheroes for Washington Families, and Reach Out and Read Washington State Director Jill Sells is humbled to be among them. 

March 23, 2010

ABC World News features Reach Out and Read CEO in American Heart: Earl Phalen, Teaching Kids To Read. Abandoned at birth, he went on to Yale and Harvard, now helps millions of kids.

March 16, 2010 

Noting the launch of our newest program at the CHAS Clinic in Deer Park, Washington, Reach Out and Read is featured live on KREM 2 News at Noon in Spokane.  Dr. Jill Sells was interviewed by anchor Sten Walstrom while video was shown of Dr. Woodruff implementing Reach Out and Read in the office. 

March 15, 2010

Dr. Jill Sells is interviewed on the KXLY Morning News with Bud Nameck in Spokane about the start of a new Reach Out and Read program in Deer Park, Washington.  The launching of the North County CHAS Clinic (Community Health Association of Spokane) marks the start of a new partnership between Reach Out and Read and the Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning.

March, 2010

Community Partnerships Support Reach Out and Read Expansion article is featured in the Washington Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics newsletter (page 6). This describes the new Culture of Literacy grants to four areas of the state: Chelan Douglas Early Learning Coalition, the Inland Northwest Alliance for Early Learning, the Olympic-Kitsap Early Learning Coalition, and the Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition.

January 12, 2010

Dr. Perri Klass, Reach Out and Read’s National Medical Director, is featured as one of 50 women who are “changing the world,” in Woman’s Day magazine, recognizing her work with Reach Out and Read.  She has some impressive company, as Hillary Clinton, Marian Wright Edelman, Melinda Gates, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey are among those included. We are thrilled for Dr. Klass, and appreciate all she has done to help us bring Reach Out and Read to children in Washington, and across the country. 

January 2010

Dr. Karen Fitzgerald, ARNP, features Reach Out and Read in her President's Message in the newsletter for the Washington Chapter, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Fitzgerald has been the Coordinator of the Reach Out and Read Program at Madigan Army Hospital since the program launched in 2008.  She is a wonderful advocate for early literacy, and for supporting the needs of military families.

January 2010

Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff is recognized as a Doctor Making a Difference in the winter edition of South Sound Magazine. We are lucky to have Dr. Woodruff as Reach Out and Read Washington's Medical Director.  "My role is Washington state is to introduce Reach Out and Read to other physicians so they can embark on this, too," Dr. Woodruff said.  This Tacoma pediatrician and her Pediatrics Northwest colleagues in Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Federal Way have participated since 2001.  "We will distribute nearly 10,000 books into little hands this year."  Thank you, Pediatrics Northwest!

December 13, 2009

Today The Boeing Company delivered a grant of $25,000 to support Reach Out and Read Washington State.  Shyla Miller, Boeing's Community Investor for Early Learning, said "The Boeing Company is thrilled to partner with Reach Out and Read to support parents and promote early literacy." Corporate support for early learning is a vital part of our public-private partnership model. Boeing’s leadership in supporting Reach Out and Read Washington State for two years in a row has been a key to our success to date.  Thank you Boeing!

December 2009

Promoting Early Literacy in Pediatric Practice: Twenty Years of Reach Out and Read. Dr. Barry Zuckerman provides an overview of the history, significance, and effectiveness of Reach Out and Read.  Since ROR started, an increasing amount of research confirms the importance of reading aloud for the development of language and other emergent literacy skills, which in turn helps children get ready for school and leads to later success in reading.  The growth of ROR represents a physician-driven transformation of primary care that benefits low-income children. 

December 1, 2009

Today the Department of Early Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington delivered to Governor Chris Gregoire a Draft Early Learning Plan and Recommendations for “near-term” actions to implement the plan. Reach Out and Read and many health providers contributed to this process.  We are excited to describe how Reach Out and Read supports all 5 Recommendations to the Governor, and supports six of the Prioritized Initiatives. ROR is a proven early literacy program with demonstrated outcomes, but it is also a “cross-discipline” strategy which plays an integral role in many parts of Washington’s evolving early learning system.  Reach Out and Read is a parenting education and early literacy program within the medical setting, serves children from 6 months through 5 years, provides professional development for health providers, and builds partnerships with parents and communities to help support an effective arly learning system.   

October 28, 2009 

Thanks to UPS Stores and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, Reach Out and Read has eleven thousands new books to give to young children across Washington. “Today’s economic challenges further highlight the ongoing need to make sure families have books at home to share with their children. Reach Out and Read doctors will give these books to children across Washington, as they talk with parents about the importance of reading aloud with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We are humbled by the generosity of the people of Washington State and thankful to Toys for Tots and The UPS Store for their efforts in helping to support young families,”  said Dr. Jill Sells, Director of Reach Out and Read Washington State. Read more.

 

October 2, 2009

Charity Navigator gives Reach Out and Read its 5th consecutive 4-star rating, placing ROR in top 4% of charities nationwide. Ken Berger, President and CEO of Charity Navigator, said, “This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Reach Out and Read from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.” Read more.

September 30, 2009

Drs. Sells and Woodruff present a work session about Reach Out and Read to the Early Learning and Children's Services Committee of the Washington State Legislature in Olympia.  See the video recording of the session at www.tvw.org.

September 28, 2009

Congressman Adam Smith, District 9, reads to children at the Pediatrics Northwest Federal Way clinic Reach Out and Read program.

September 21, 2009

Reach Out and Read to Receive $5 Million in U.S. Department of Education funds. Reach Out and Read (ROR) will receive $4,964,051 in federal funding from the Department of Education to expand and improve its educational programs nationwide. Washington state benefits directly from this funding, because this federal funding helps support ROR Washington State and is intended to help leverage public and private funds within Washington. The funding also reduces book costs nationwide, and provides books directly to our programs across the state.  Read more.  We appreciate the support of Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives McDermott and Dicks for this federal appropriation. 

September 18, 2009 

Doctor uses office to share reading in the Renton Reporter highlights the leadership of Reach Out and Read doctor Sonja Maddox, a family physician at Pacific Medical Center.

September 14, 2009

Earl Martin Phalen is named the new CEO of Reach Out and Read. Judy Newman, Chair of Reach Out and Read’s National Board of Directors, said “Earl Martin Phalen is a proven leader with a lifelong passion for social change and promoting school readiness for all children.  Earl’s vision, energy, and commitment to early childhood education will be a dynamic match for the Reach Out and Read organization, and I know that his leadership will take ROR to new heights in the years ahead.”

September 11, 2009

Reach Out and Read teams up with First Book to Deliver 13,000 books to Washington state programs to honor first official 9/11 Day of Service.  “Reach Out and Read is thrilled to put more books into the hands of young children and families through medical practices across Washington state in honor of the Day of Service and Remembrance,” said Dr. Jill Sells, Director of Reach Out and Read Washington State. “It is an honor to support families, and the doctors and communities who serve them, so we can help children be healthy and ready for success in school.” 

August 27, 2009

Congressman Jim McDermott, District 8, visits the Reach Out and Read program at the University of Washington's Roosevelt Pediatric Care Center. Photo by Clare McLean, UW Medicine.

August 2009 

Dr. Sonja Maddox, Reach Out and Read Coordinator for PacMed in Renton, is quoted in ParentMap's story Make Summer Reading Fun. “Even if a child’s attention span is a minute, point out pictures, name things in books and make this a part of their everyday routine,” says Dr. Sonja Maddox, a Renton family medicine practitioner.

July 26, 2009

Dr. Stephen Pearson's guest commentary "Support Infants and Toddlers in our Community, the First Step in Preventing School Drop-Outs" was featured in Sunday's Yakima Herald Republic.   

July 17, 2009

The Wiggles and Comcast Arena in Everett Washington support Reach Out and Read Washington State through a great show and successful bookdrive.  See photos.   

July 16, 2009

Reach Out and Read Washington programs benefit from the Curbside book drive, and donors receive free ice skating passes. See Children's Book Drive in Everett's Comcast Arena on King 5 TV.

July 13, 2009

The Spokane Spokesman-Review highlights upcoming Wiggles event, including the Reach Out and Read book drive.  See Wiggles Bring Fun, Frivolity to Spokane.

July 9, 2009

On July 16th from 7am-6 pm outside Comcast Arena at Everett, Global Spectrum and The Wiggles are holding a Curbside Book Drive to benefit Reach Out and Read.  An extension of the book drive to be held at the The Wiggles "Go Bananas Live!" Summer Tour shows on July 17th, this exciting event will engage community members in supporting children's literacy!  Book donors receive a free Comcast Community Ice Rink Skating Pass, and some lucky donors will receive tickets to The Wiggles. At certain times there are other free giveaways, like coffee, popcorn and ice cream. Read the media release, and bring a children's board book to Broadway (between Hewitt and Wall Street) in downtown Everett on July 16th.  Before you shop, see our doctor-recommended book list for ideas.

July 7, 2009

The first stops on the The Wiggles "Go Bananas Live!" Summer Tour are right here in Washington State!  Book drives at all four shows will benefit Reach Out and Read Washington State programs. The Wiggles are encouraging families to bring a new book to donate to ROR at each of their shows. Read the