NEWS  from
 Reach Out and Read
 Washington State
JANUARY 2018

In the Autumn of 2007, Drs. Jill Sells and Mary Ann Woodruff partnered with the Reach Out and Read National Center to launch Reach Out and Read Washington State. At that time, 54 stalwart clinics had implemented the program and were serving approximately 28,000 families annually. Ten years later, 222 medical practices participate, serving approximately 125,000 children and families a year! We have created a map image that you can view below showing the geographic distribution of our program growth in Washington state over the last 10 years.

Ten years marks an important anniversary, and, in our case, it also marks a significant transition. Our Executive Director, Dr. Jill Sells, has accepted a new position with the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ). We are thrilled for Jill and wish her the very best in this opportunity to work on issues affecting early learning and pediatric health on the National level. We are incredibly grateful for her more than a decade of service to Reach Out and Read, and the passion and vision she brought to our work. Please read on for a farewell message from Jill.

Our Deputy Director, Jessica Mortensen, will serve as our Acting Executive Director. Jessica has been a member of our team since 2010 when she joined us as our Program Director. You can learn more about Jessica below. 

The new year always presents opportunities for reflection and transition, and that is especially true for us at Reach Out and Read Washington State this year. This January, as we remember how far we've come in the last 10 years and imagine where we'll go in the next 10, we remain incredibly grateful for the many people that drive our ability to provide this important program to so many families every day. Thank you to each of you!

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mapimage
Reach Out and Read programs in 2007
Reach Out and Read programs in 2017
Reach Out and Read Washington State's First 10 Years
Program Growth Across the State

Since our founding in 2007, the number of Reach Out and Read programs in Washington has grown from 54 to 222. The maps above show the geographic location of each program and how we have increased geographic diversity over time ( click here to see an animated map showing growth year by year). We strive to serve the state as broadly as possible. For program level details, check out our program list. There you can see all of the programs currently operating in Washington state, organized by county.

Thank you to all of you for helping us grow Reach Out and Read in Washington.  We look forward to continuing to serve even more families and communities in the coming years!
farewellmessage

Farewell Message from Dr. Jill Sells

It is with mixed feelings that I leave Reach Out and Read to start my new position as Clinical Director of Early Childhood Initiatives with the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ). I believe whole-heartedly in the work we've done together, and will miss being a daily part of efforts to support young children and families across Washington State.

Reach Out and Read Washington State remains in great hands, poised to move forward under the leadership of Acting Executive Director Jessica Mortensen and Medical Director Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff. I have complete faith in the team, and am very excited about the work they will carry forward in partnership with you and others. I look forward to following the organization as a committed supporter!

I will be working remotely from Seattle in this new national position, and I am hopeful that our paths will continue to cross. My best to you and all the families that you serve in 2018 and beyond. 

Take care! Jill 

learnmoreaboutjessica

Get to Know Jessica Mortensen

Jessica Mortensen's connection to Reach Out and Read began in 2004 when she started serving as a site coordinator for the University of Washington Pediatric Dental Clinic's Reach Out and Read program. Jessica was responsible for ordering, stocking, and tracking books; completing progress reports; and supporting provider training. This direct experience in the realities of supporting a Reach Out and Read program has guided Jessica as we have developed our program quality and technical assistance services.

Jessica joined Reach Out and Read Washington State in the Autumn of 2010 as our Program Director. At that time, Jessica provided program support to the 107 medical clinics participating in Reach Out and Read in the state, serving approximately 60,000 families annually. Since 2010, Jessica has overseen the addition of 115 new programs, which has more than doubled the number of families served. Jessica and Dr. Sells partnered to develop our program quality improvement system, and Jessica has led the implementation and continuous improvement of that system since 2011. Jessica has led our program support team since 2012, as the team expanded from one to three Program Specialists. In 2015, Jessica was promoted to Deputy Director and took on additional responsibilities in the areas of fund development, partnerships, and organizational leadership.

Jessica earned her Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Washington and her Bachelor's degree from Whitman College. She has held a variety of positions in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors, including serving as a foundation program officer. Throughout her career at Reach Out and Read and beyond, Jessica has been focused on assisting healthcare providers as they make practice improvements that are evidence-based, sustainable, and meet community needs. 

You can reach Jessica at [email protected].

 
About Reach Out and Read Washington State

Reach Out and Read gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.  Our evidence- based proven program leverages the influence of children's doctors and makes literacy promotion  a standard part of well-child checkups from birth through 5 years. Reach Out and Read  supports parents as their child's first teacher and helps children be ready for  kindergarten. 
 
Through 222 programs in 31 counties, 1,750 medical providers serve an estimated  125,000 children and their families across Washington. Reach Out and Read
Washington State is part of Reach Out and Read, Inc., a national not-for  profit 501(c)3  organization.