REACH OUT & READ

What is the Reach Out & Read Program?

In 1989, the Reach Out and Read Program was developed in the Pediatric Primary Care Clinic at what was then Boston City Hospital, making books and the encouragement of early literacy part of the everyday pediatric practice. Tulare County Health & Human Services agency has received a grant from the Reach Out and Read National Center to fund this reading and assessment program in our Health Care Centers.

Can I volunteer to help with this program?

Yes, the program consists of reading by volunteers in the waiting room. These volunteers provide guidance to parents on the importance of reading, and work to promote books and reading. Each child between the ages of six months and five years is given a developmentally and culturally appropriate book to take home from every check-up. By the age of five, each child has as a small, but real library consisting of eight books. County medical providers in Visalia, Dinuba, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville and Tulare have been giving books to the children since September, 2003. The Reach Out and Read Program is in partnership with Read for Life and the Library. Please contact the Reach Out and Read Coordinator at 559-737-4660, x2640 for more information.