From the moment parents or caregivers bring a child home, there are opportunities for the child's physician to promote early relational health, help families build an environment that promotes healthy development, and create readers for life. One ready-to-deploy program to help our youngest patients get off to a good start is Reach Out and Read (ROR).

ROR is a nonprofit program that promotes early childhood literacy and strong family connections by training clinicians to educate parents and caregivers on shared reading techniques and recommending age-appropriate books for practices to distribute to patients.

Practices interested in joining ROR can check if there is a state or regional affiliate already in their area or email the national center at startup@reachoutandread.org. Participating clinicians receive training eligible for CME, and the only cost to the practice is the books. They are available at discounted prices that average $3.50 (prices vary based on title, language, and vendor). ROR affiliates may be able to connect you with organizations that can provide funding.