Background on Reach Out and Read Michigan

Reach Out and Read has been steadily growing in Michigan since the 1990’s. Reach Out and Read Michigan was created in 2006 to support 39 existing programs and expand in under-served regions of Michigan, particularly in the Metro Detroit and rural areas. Michigan was targeted for expansion by Reach Out and Read National due to the high level of poverty in children, the high level of medically underserved children, and the small percentage of Reach Out and Read programs compared with the state’s eligible population of children. .

In less than 5 years, Reach Out and Read Michigan has grown to 105 Reach Out and Read programs in serving over 105,000 children annually. http://reachoutandread.org/whereweare  In 2010, Reach Out and Read programs distributed over 125,000 brand new developmentally appropriate books when children visited their doctor for a well-child check up between the ages of 6 months through 5 years.

A Google map pinpointing Michigan Reach Out and Read programs can be viewed at:
http://reachoutandread.org/whereweare/maps/interactive_map.aspx?s=MI

Reach Out and Read Michigan fosters partnerships among the health and early childhood networks across the state to promote early literacy, and healthy child development.

The purpose of ROR Michigan is:

1. Support expansion and provide technical assistance to existing and new sites,
2. Train health care professionals and program staff on the Reach Out and Read model,
3. Seek resources for books and infrastructure to sustain Reach Out and Read programs statewide,
4. Evaluate the quality and fidelity of the Reach Out and Read model in programs,  
5. Advocate for Reach Out and Read at the federal and state levels, and
6. Promote the Reach Out and Read model including media and marketing.
   

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