NEWS  from
 Reach Out and Read
 Washington State
JUNE 2017
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."  - Albert Einstein

We are about to turn the page on June 2017, with great uncertainty about our governments' next steps at both the federal and state levels.

It appears that the federal government will not be voting this week on a new health care bill that would be devastating for children. Washington State, thankfully, has a longstanding, bipartisan commitment to children's health insurance and access to care. But proposals floating in the other Washington would be devastating to kids here. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics Statement Opposing the Senate Health Care Bill so you understand what is at stake.

Here in our own Washington we hope the legislature will pass a budget that meets education requirements, while still funding many other critical needs. We are thankful for the legislators who have hung in there to craft a solution that will let us move forward. We are hopeful that it will support the needs of our youngest learners, and include critical support for Reach Out and Read.

Health and education are completely inter-related, fundamental needs for a thriving childhood and a successful life. Our work at Reach Out and Read sits right at that intersection, using the health care system to support outcomes traditionally thought to be more in education.

Even in the midst of such stress and uncertainty, commitment to children is strong, and partnership potentials are great! Read on for two sparkling examples of success in local communities. Every day Reach Out and Read medical providers across the state are putting books into the hands of eager young children, and assuring parents that they 'have what it takes' to help their child grow, learn, and thrive. We appreciate all the public and private partners that help make this possible. 

 Jill Sells, MD & the Reach Out and Read Washington Team

IN THIS ISSUE
Support Reach Out and Read in Washington 


 
Tacoma Rotary Raises the Paddle for Reach Out and Read

" Tacoma Rotary 8 is proud to support Reach Out and Read. We know that reading to young children from an early age has a tremendous impact on lifelong literacy skills. Rotary 8 is thankful to the clinics that have chosen to participate in this program, and we are honored to help provide books to kids and families in need." - Susan Barbeau, Tacoma Rotary 8 Literacy Chair

During their annual Rotary Dinner and Auction, Tacoma Rotary 8 "raised the paddle" in support of Reach Out and Read Washington. Rotarians' generosity was on full display, as members pledged a total of $22,500 to support our work. Those funds will be used to purchase new, high-quality children's books for many Reach Out and Read clinics serving low-income families in Pierce County.

Our sincere thanks to Rotary President Becky Fontaine, Susan Barbeau, Tacoma Rotary 8, and everyone who generously donated to support early literacy in Pierce County!

         

Summer Library Partnerships

Reach Out and Read is excited to partner again with Seattle Public Library and King County Public Library System to encourage families to participate in library summer learning programs.

At the end of the school year, libraries produce reading logs and supporting materials to engage children of all ages during the summer months in an effort to prevent summer learning loss and preserve the reading achievement gains made during the school year. These materials will be distributed during the summer months by Reach Out and Read programs throughout King County.

With encouragement from participating clinics and medical providers, we hope that more families will visit the library this summer and throughout their lives!

  
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 214 programs in 31 counties, 1,700 medical providers serve an estimated  110,000 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.