FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2007

• The nonprofit Children's Futures' initiative spearheads the Reach Out and Read (ROR) national program in Trenton to make literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care.

• The focus on literacy is one component of Children's Futures' comprehensive city-wide effort to improve Trenton children's health and development, strengthen new families and ensure that every child in Trenton enters pre-school healthy and ready to learn.

• Medical providers in eight medical practices throughout Trenton (including Henry J. Austin Health Center) advise parents about the importance of reading aloud to children. Community volunteers model reading for parents in medical office waiting rooms.

• Children's Futures partners with Camp Fire USA to organize provider and volunteer training, book ordering and distribution, and community awareness.

• Since the Children's Futures' ROR program began in Trenton, more than 6,600 new books have been distributed to children and families.

• Since 2006, more than 50 community volunteers have been recruited and trained to model reading for parents in the participating Trenton medical practices.