NC Partnership for Children Expands Reach Out And Read Over $67,000 Awarded to 14 Smart Start Partnerships Across NC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 8, 2015
Contact: Heather Strickland, hstrickland@smartstart.org, 919-821-9564

RALEIGH, NC—The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) announced the award of $67,500 to Smart Start partnerships across North Carolina to expand work through the early literacy program Reach Out and Read (ROR).

ROR is a national program that supports doctors in their efforts to “prescribe” reading to young children and families during well-child visits. Smart Start works with medical practices across the state to promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms by giving books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. This includes book sharing, free books for children to keep, and waiting rooms full of books.

“The research is clear; starting early with literacy is the most influential way to support a child’s language development and promote third grade reading success,” stated Cindy Watkins, President of NCPC. “We are fortunate here in North Carolina to have state leaders that recognize the importance of literacy skills and a state-wide partnership that ensures effective early literacy programs are reaching the young children and families in our state.”

In the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Smart Start served over 37,000 children through ROR. In addition, families participating in ROR were 92 percent more likely to be using one or more recommended reading strategies compared to those new to the program.

“Early literacy skills are critical for the development of healthy minds and bodies,” stated Callee Boulware, Executive Director of Reach Out and Read Carolinas. “We are thrilled to have the state-wide partnership with Smart Start that supports strong, high-quality Reach Out and Read programs in communities, better supporting children and families across the state.”

The following Smart Start partnerships received awards for ROR to be expanded to their communities:

    Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County: $4,500
    Smart Start of New Hanover County: $4,500
    Down East Partnership for Children: $4,500
    Carteret County Partnership for Children: $4,500
    Smart Start of Henderson County: $4,500
    Partners for Children & Families of Moore County: :$4,500
    Columbus County Smart Start: $4,500
    Caswell County Partnership for Children: $4,500
    Partnership for Children of Lenoir and Greene Counties: $4,500
    Lee County Partnership for Children: $4,500
    Madison County Partnership for Children & Families: $4,500
    Mecklenburg County Smart Start: $9,000
    Montgomery County Partnership for Children: $4,500
    Partnership for Children of Cumberland County: $4,500

In addition to these new awards, 23 partnerships received funding to continue ROR programs in their communities. Currently, Smart Start administers ROR in 39 North Carolina Counties. In Dare and Carteret counties, this new award combined with continuation funding, means that they will be serving over 90 percent of children 6 months old to 5 years old in those counties.
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Smart Start, a network of nonprofit local partnerships led by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), creates innovative solutions to measurably increase learning and the healthy development of children birth to five. Smart Start gives local communities the freedom and responsibility to determine how to increase the health, well-being and development of their children based on the needs and resources of their local communities. NCPC establishes measurable statewide goals and communities determine the best approach to achieving them. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org.

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