Dr. Natalia Cap, MD, Director of Medical and Community Engagement for the Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership provides the first set of children’s books to DOH-Monroe at the Gato Building in Key West for the launch of the Reach Out and Reach Program. From bottom left: MaryJo Sellers, RN (Senior Community Health Nurse for DOH-Monroe); Dr. Natalia Cap (Director of Medical and Community Engagement Reach Out and Read Florida, Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership); Sherry Brown, RN (Immunizations Program Coordinator for DOH-Monroe);  Top row from left: Bob Eadie (Administrator and Health Officer for DOH-Monroe) and Nicole Norman, RN (Nursing Director for DOH-Monroe).

REACH OUT AND READ NOW OFFERED TO CHILDREN UNDER AGE 5 DURING VACCINE VISITS AT HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Key West, Fla. – The Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership, Inc. Reach Out and Read (ROR) Florida affiliate is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County to promote healthy development for every child in our state.

Reach Out and Read integrates reading aloud into pediatric care, providing books and coaching that help every family make reading a part of their daily routine. Clinicians at the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, Key West site, have decided to introduce this important evidence-based model by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally appropriate books to children during immunization visits.

“For the past 30 years, the Reach Out and Read model has fostered parent engagement, literacy, and social and emotional development for millions of children and families nationwide,” said Brian Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Reach Out and Read. The program  begins at birth and continues through age  5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read generally read together more often.  Their  children enter school with larger  vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential.

“We are pleased to launch Reach Out and Read. Bringing high quality programs, such as this one that can help increase a child’s chances of achieving future educational success, is something that is near and dear to my heart,” says Bob Eadie, Health Officer and Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. “At the health department, children can now come to receive their required vaccinations and leave in higher spirits with a free culturally and developmentally age-appropriate book.”

The Reach Out and Read Program in Monroe County is operated by the Family Learning Partnership, funded by Health Foundation of South Florida and has partnered with The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe to ensure all children have a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. At this time, this program is offered  only at the Key West Health Department site at the Gato Building. Appointments are required at all Florida Department of Health in Monroe County locations. No walk-ins are allowed. For more information about Reach Out and Read at DOH-Monroe, please call (305) 676-3820 or email [email protected].

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