Grant Regional Receives Donation from Grant County Thrift Shop To Fund Books
Contact: Rochelle Williams
Photo: (left to right) Rochelle Williams, Grant Regional Health Center; Patrick Krantz; Brandi Riechers, Grant Regional Health Center; Deb Krantz; Joanna Dressler and Cindy Brandt.
A book. A bond. A brighter future. Thanks to a generous donation of $1,000 from the Grant County Thrift Shop in addition to funds raised by hospital staff, Grant Regional Community Clinic will soon begin offering the Reach Out & Read program, a highly effective early literacy program with benefits for children, parents, and healthcare providers. The program will encourage the importance of reading aloud and provide new books to children at pediatric well-child visits. Every child 6 months through 5 years of age will receive a new, developmentally, and culturally appropriate children’s book to take home and keep.
By building on the unique relationship between parents and their healthcare provider, Reach Out & Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. “No amount of TV watching – even educational programs – is going to replace interacting with your little one and having them hear your voice and feel that loving relationship,” explains Rachel Loeffelholz, APNP. "Before children enter kindergarten at age 5, there are few opportunities to reach young families to offer support in developing healthy learning habits. The Reach Out & Read model solves this challenge by partnering with healthcare providers to make books a fundamental part of every child’s periodic well visits in their first five years."
For parents and caregivers, learning to be their child’s first teacher is empowering. Reach Out & Read provides the tools and guidance needed to make a powerful impact on their child’s life. Knowing they are doing something so important benefits parents in a positive way too.
"We as healthcare providers have this golden opportunity to leverage our knowledge and influence during the years when children are growing and changing so rapidly and when families are establishing healthy routines,” explains Loeffelholz. "We're excited to be able to offer this unique program and grateful for the generous donations that will allow us to help create a brighter future for soon-to-be young readers.