RPS and HAMC partner to become a Reach Out And Read Site.

Rugby Public Schools has partnered with HAMC Johnson Clinic to become a “Reach Out and Read “site. Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit organization that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

“We are excited to partner with HAMC by purchasing the books through our Striving Readers Grant” says Mike McNeff, Superintendent of Rugby Public Schools.

Through Reach Out and Read, practitioners at HAMC Johnson Clinic will “prescribe” reading aloud to infants and toddlers. At each well child/well baby check, HAMC practitioners will be giving a book to the child and talking about the importance of reading out loud.

HAMC Physician Assistant, Dustin Hager says “We know that childhood experiences early in life can have a lasting impact on later learning, behavior, and health. Many studies have shown a strong, association between a home reading environment, such as access to books, frequency of reading, and variety of books read, and brain development.”

Jodi Schaan, Medical Staff Coordinator for HAMC says, “We are excited to partner with Rugby Public Schools and the Reach Out and Read program, fostering a love of reading & learning in babies & preschoolers that will benefit them throughout their life.”

Reach Out and Read currently serves 4.7 million children and their families. The Reach Out and Read has 6,000 program sites in all 50 states. The Reach Out and Read model is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.