San Diego County Library Supports Local Clinics and Reach Out and Read 1 Million Books Campaign!

Young children visiting Neighborhood Health Care (NHC) in El Cajon get more than just health checks when they see their pediatrician. They get books! This busy clinic in El Cajon gives out over 1,200 free books a year as part of the American Academy of Pediatrics, CA Chapter 3’s Reach Out and Read San Diego program. The evidence based program prepares America’s youngest children to succeed in school by training doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at checkups from 6 months through 5 years of age. Parents learn how much their child’s brain is growing and the important role they play as their child’s first and best teacher. The numbers are impressive. Three hundred and fifty volunteer medical providers at 89 offices county-wide participate in Reach Out and Read San Diego, providing books to more than 85,000 low income children every year. Partnering with both the City and County libraries, doctors also encourage families to visit their local library for “free refills” and more read aloud opportunities.

Starting in 1995, under the direction of Dr. Bronwen Anders, NHC El Cajon was the first pediatric clinic, in the region, to participate in Reach Out and Read- sending families home from check-ups with free books and the prescription – “read aloud to your children.” What was one small program two decades ago has grown substantially within the Neighborhood Health Clinic system alone. All of their 18 providers are fully trained and volunteer their time to incorporate this important program into their daily well child visit appointments.

El Cajon has some of the lowest literacy rates in San Diego County along with an ever changing immigrant and refugee population making the need for these services imperative. To help meet the ever growing need for more books, the San Diego County Library held a book drive this past holiday season to benefit Reach Out and Read San Diego. Deputy Director for the San Diego County Library, Susan Moore, as well as Sheila Crosby and Veronica Maciel were all on hand March 16th presenting over 640 new books to the Neighborhood Health Care office in El Cajon.

This event also served as the kick off for the American Academy of Pediatrics, CA Chapter 3’s (AAP-CA3) Reach Out and Read San Diego Million Books Campaign. Over 850,000 books have been given out throughout the county to date through this program to kids in need and our goal is to provide the one millionth book by the year’s end. AAP-CA3’s Million Books Campaign brings together medical providers and community partners to ensure we reach and celebrate that important milestone.

To find out how you can get involved with the AAP-CA3’s Million Books Campaign by holding a book drive, or donating funds, please visit our website at www.rorsd.org or contact Tara Milbrand, Project Director, (858)361-4644 Phone / tmilbrand@aapca3.org