Denver Health’s Sandos Westside Family Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving just under 15,000 unique patients and completing about 30,000 scheduled visits each year. It was the flagship clinic for Reach Out and Read in Colorado when Dr. Steve Vogler started the program in the 1990’s, and the program is still thriving today!
We spoke with Randie Weiss, Westside Care Navigator and Reach Out and Read Site Coordinator, to get an inside look at their success.
What does the Reach Out and Read Program look like in your clinic?
The clinic layout has changed a lot throughout the years. Currently, gently used books are available throughout the clinic – in the front reading nook, in a wooden picture book display by the checkout desk and near the popular fish tank, and in each of the exam rooms hanging in wire book displays posted on the walls where children of all ages can reach them. Two gently used book storage areas spaced on either end of the clinic supply the books for these displays.
New Reach Out and Read books also are stored in easily accessible areas – primary storage behind the check-in desk to be placed in patient outguides that will travel with the patient throughout their visit, and additional books are stored near the checkout desk. Additionally, Westside Pediatrics is lucky to have a large storage space in the basement, where the team pulls used and new books to restock as needed.
Who champions the program at your clinic?
Westside Pediatrics has built a team to champion their Reach Out and Read program. This team includes the Medical Champion, Site Coordinator, Nurse Program Manager, two Medical Assistants, and a Patient Access Specialist. The team meets quarterly to check in, review and update processes, and discuss any clinic needs. We document Reach Out and Read-related workflows, team meeting discussions, recent data, a “downtime” checklist, and any current book orders, and all team members have access to this.
How do you continuously encourage excitement around reading?
Most recently, the team has had fun posting and naming several decals of mice reading books around the clinic. These mice have served as great attention getters, conversation starters, and counting activities for children and their families!
Reach Out and Read is a much-loved program at Denver Health’s Westside Pediatrics, and staff and families know to expect a literacy-enriched experience when they come to clinic.
