In The Press
In the News
Stay up-to-date on the latest information and news updates through our National Reach Out & Read program.
RORMi and Priority Health Total Health Foundation
Ready For School Annual Breakfast 2022 featuring: RORMi
Podcast
From the national organization Reach Out and Read comes a brand new podcast centered around the belief that children’s books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthy children and societies. Join us as host Dr Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician with a children’s librarianship degree, dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.
Home Delivery Kits
“The organizations assembled 400 learning kits and delivered them to the homes of 4-year-olds on May 15. The kits included a pot, dirt, seeds and a book.
On Saturday, the team delivered 385 learning kits to 3-year-olds in the county. Those kits will include pails, shovels, buckets and a book. Both kits also include resources for parents to continue to play and interact with their children throughout the summer.”
Lakeshore Press
“Talking about the pictures and turning pages together is a source of empowerment that builds brains and bonding,” Lowry says. “Books are useful to model what it looks like to talk about the story that the pictures tell without having to read the words. As they enjoy books and time spent together, families form lasting connections and children learn new skills.”
The books are handed out to children at every checkup, from 6 months old until they reach school age. Provided through Ready for School, each of the nine books is specific to a particular age group and available in Spanish and English.
Rapid Growth Announcement
“Of the approximate 44,000 children 0-5 years old in Kent County, only 7,000 (16%) are currently receiving Reach Out and Read intervention across 12 clinical sites,” says Ready for School’s president and CEO, Donna Lowry. Provider recruitment goals proposed by Ready for School and supported by millage funds, “will provide the opportunity for approximately 6,000 more children and families to receive the cost-efficient, evidence-based pediatric healthcare provider early literacy strategy,” Lowry says.
Ready by Five Press Release
“The programs and proposals that were put forth by Kent County agencies showed innovation and excitement around early childhood work and the importance of improving outcomes for our youngest children and their families,” said Annemarie Valdez, president and CEO of First Steps Kent. “We are grateful for the support of Kent County residents. This is a vital investment in young children across our community and we are now closer to making sure children are ready for the first day of kindergarten.”