Pomona Valley Hospital Introducing Literacy Program

The Family Health Center at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is joining 4,779 other organizations across the country to prepare their youngest visitors for academic success.

The Family Health Center is offering the Reach Out and Read program to kids starting with their six month checkup, and continuing through age five. During exams, doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals will speak with the parents about reading aloud to their children every day, and offer tips to make it fun and educational for the youngsters. Every time the child comes in, their primary care provider will give them a new, developmentally-appropriate children’s book to take home and keep. Before they even make it into the room for their appointment, children will have access to books and displays in the waiting room.

“Reach Out and Read is such an efficient and effective concept,” said Chief Executive Officer Earl Martin Phalen. “Childhood development experts tell us that the most important thing that parents can do to prepare their children to succeed in school is to read aloud to them every day. Promoting early literacy and school readiness through regular pediatric checkups is a simple model that has a lasting, invaluable impact on the life of a child.”

According to the hospital, studies have shown that parents who receive books and literary counseling from their doctors and nurses are more likely to read to their children and have more books in the home.

”As family physicians we can make a huge difference by talking about reading at an early age,” said Snezana Begovic, MD, medical director of the Family Health Center.  “Reach Out and Read is also ‘Reach Out and Touch’ the soul of your patient.”

For more information, or to donate books or funds, call Darlene McPherson at 909-469-9495.