our VISION
Reach Out & Read Illinois prepares children for kindergarten and strengthens the bond between a child and their caregiver by incorporating books into pediatric visits from six months to five years, connecting families to neighborhood resources, and encouraging families to read together.
Reach Out & Read Illinois builds on the relationship between parents and healthcare providers. Books are an important part of early learning and brain development, and Reach Out & Read Illinois distributes early learning resources and over 180,000 books to families every year. Yet, this is only a fraction of those that need support. Support for Reach Out & Read Illinois is support for every child age six months to five years in the state of Illinois to have access to new, high-quality books.
OUR IMPACT
As a child’s first teacher, it is vital for caregivers to have access to the support and resources they need. Reach Out and Read Illinois has developed several book guides with a focus on diverse titles, along with additional materials to facilitate developmentally appropriate conversations between children and their caregivers.
Interested in starting a partner clinic with Reach Out and Read Illinois? Need resources to support your staff at an existing ROR clinic? Explore our Clinic Resources tab. Please contact our Program Coordinator, Bridgette Rasmussen, should you have any additional questions.
