April 10, 2015 at 2:23 p.m.
State Senator Tom Tiffany supports Reach Out and Read program in Rhinelander
State Senator Tom Tiffany supports Reach Out and Read program in Rhinelander
Ministry Medical Group Rhinelander pediatrics participates in Reach Out and Read, a program that prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. Through Reach Out and Read, each child starts kindergarten with a home library of up to 10 books. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities.
Reach Out and Read Wisconsin medical director, Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, emphasizes the importance of books by saying, "walking into a well-child exam without a book for that child is like walking in without my stethoscope."
The Reach Out and Read model has gained broad bipartisan support in the United States Congress, is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, and has one of the strongest records of research support of any psychosocial intervention in primary care pediatrics.
"I support the importance of reading during early childhood development," Tiffany said. "Reading to my three children has been a personal family interest of my wife and mine with the goal of maximizing our children's potential, appreciation for literature, and contribution to society. I gladly support the opportunity for other children to do the same."
Ministry Medical Group Rhinelander pediatrics is one of 120 programs in Wisconsin that participate in Reach Out and Read, providing books to more than 56,000 children annually. Nationally, Reach Out and Read facilitates the distribution of more than 6.5 million books to more than 4 million children and their families annually.
Reach Out and Read Wisconsin is an initiative of Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin and a partnership with American Family Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin is a statewide voice for children's health. Learn more at www.chawisconsin.org.
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