Reach Out and Read

Making Books Part of a Healthy Childhood

ROR is a national pediatric literacy program. ROR-TX was established in 1999 as the result of First Lady Laura Bush's Early Childhood Initiative for Texas. ROR-TX is affiliated with the Department of Developmental Pediatrics and CIRCLE (Center for Improving the Readiness of Children for Learning and Education).

ROR-TX is the statewide coalition responsible for expansion and sustaining ROR in Texas. Our mission is to make early literacy a standard part of pediatric primary healthcare in Texas. Healthcare providers distribute over 200,000 books to children in communtiy health centers, children's hospitals, and pediatric practices across the State. We plan to add 20 new Reach Out & Read Texas clinic sites each year increasing the number of children reached. Click here to see a snapshot of ROR Growth in TEXAS.

ROR-TX will guide you in the start-up process of the program, conduct training for your staff, and provide other assistance and support as needed. For more information or to start a program, please contact the ROR-TX or the ROR National Center.

Reach Out & Read started in 1989 at Boston City Hospital. ROR programs seek to make early literacy a standard part of pediatric primary care. Pediatricians encourage parents to read aloud to their young children and give books to their patients to take home at all pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age. Parents learn that reading aloud is the most important thing they can do to help their children love books and to start school ready to learn.

Pediatricians and nurse practitioners are trained in the ROR strategies of pediatric literacy. The program has these components:

1. At every well-child checkup, pediatricians encourage parents to read aloud to their young children, and offer age-appropriate tips and encouragement.
2. Pediatricians and nurse practitioners give every child between the ages of 6 months and 5 years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep.
3. Volunteers in clinic waiting rooms read aloud to children, showing parents and children the pleasures and techniques of looking at books together.
4. AND, Parents with poor reading skills are referred to adult literacy programs and classes. By referring parents with poor reading skills to adult literacy organizations, ROR offers parents an opportunity to learn to read before their children begin school.

LOCAL GROUPS SUPPORTING ROR include the following:

Capitol Area ROR to supports ROR in Austin.
Alamo City ROR was formed to support programs in Antonio.

The Rio Grande Partnership supports ROR across the Valley region along the Texas Mexico Border.