Southeast Pediatrics wants to begin Reach Out and Read program

Southeast Pediatrics is hoping to make reading part of life from the beginning for children through a program called Reach Out and Read.

If all goes well, Dr. Kali Francis said the program could start early next year. Books would go to parents with children from 6 months to 5 years old as part of their well-child visits, Francis told a meeting Tuesday of the Success By 6 Leadership Team.

Doctors and nurses participating in Reach Out and Read promote early literacy and school readiness to young children and their families nationwide. Each year, medical providers at the nearly 5,000 Reach Out and Read program sites distribute 6.5 million books to children and provide literacy advice to parents, the organization's website said.

At the start, it would just be Francis' office taking part, but it could be expanded, she said.

"I think it's more effective when providers actually emphasize the reading to parents," Francis said.

The application was filed with Reach Out and Read on Monday, she said. The organization reviews the applications, providers have to undergo training and books have to be obtained.

On a separate item, United Way executive director Nancy Jernigan said GRACES will have a Diaper Drive Kickoff and Reception from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Johnson Faculty Center, 530 N. Pacific St. The goal is to collect 5,000 diapers for to lower-income families.

Jernigan also told attendees about an upcoming community conversation in Cape Girardeau co-hosted by the United Way of Southeast Missouri set for 11 a.m. Dec. 11 to discuss Raise Your Hand for Kids, an early education and health initiative for Missouri children ages 5 and younger.

Erin Brower, vice president of Alliance for Childhood Education, said plans are to get an initiative on the November 2016 ballot for a cigarette sales tax. Proceeds would go to early childhood education and early health screenings for children age 5 and younger, Brower said.

Brower said Alliance for Childhood Education is partnering with Missouri Wonk, a political research, analysis and consulting firm, on the initiative.

The group is going around the state talking to community leaders and educators to get feedback and help designing the policy. Grants would come through the counties.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

430A Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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• Parents served by Boston-based Reach Out and Read are up to four times more likely to read aloud to their children.
• Reach Out and Read reaches the child through effectively teaching the parent to start lifelong learning in the home.
• During the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their non-Reach Out and Read peers on vocabulary tests. These early foundational language skills help start children on *"a path of success*" when they enter school.
• Source: http://www.reachoutandread.org/why-we-work/research-findings/