Reach Out and Read Georgia

About

Reach Out and Read Georgia is an evidence-based nonprofit that partners with health care providers to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. By providing age-appropriate books to children at well-child visits from six months to five years of age, Reach Out and Read Georgia prepares children for school and encourages a lifelong love of reading. Children served by Reach Out and Read Georgia enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a three-month to six-month developmental edge.         

"There’s something magical that happens each and every time a child receives a new book from their doctor. That’s why we are so passionate about reaching as many children as possible. Our vision is that one day ALL children in Georgia are served by a Reach Out and Read trained pediatrician." 

~ Amy Erickson, Executive Director             

Mission                   

Reach Out and Read Georgia gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.               

Impact                    

With 150 program sites at hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and home visiting programs across Georgia, we provide more than 105,761 children and their families in 67 counties with free books, resources, and anticipatory guidance to promote the importance of early brain development in young children.             

"Modeling reading aloud and empowering parents to experience this joy for themselves with their children is one of the most important and impactful tools I have at my disposal as a pediatrician. Having that joy of reading, that warm interaction with a parent, that feeling you can count on every single evening - that is what Reach Out and Read provides to families across Georgia."  ~ Dr. Terri McFadden, Medical Director

Rsearch                    

Our evidence-based model is backed by a large and growing body of academic research. We utilize the existing medical infrastructure, to encourage supportive, educational conversations with parents on the importance of reading aloud and the impact on children's brain development.

Strategic Partnerships                  

Reach Out and Read Georgia was identified as one of Atlanta’s three nonprofit “bright spots” with a recommendation to scale our work across the metro Atlanta region as a part of the Learn4Life initiative. Along with other leading nonprofits in the region, representatives from Reach Out and Read Georgia serve on the Georgia Department of Public Health Brain Trust Committee and State Council. We work closely with Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students and Voices for Georgia’s Children on many advocacy issues involving children, as well as, the Georgia Chapter of The American Academy of Pediatrics.    

Connect                   

To learn more, visit www.reachoutandread.org/georgia or connect with Reach Out and Read Georgia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReachOutandReadGeorgia.