About US
Connected Families. Healthy Kids. Prepared for Success.
We empower healthcare providers to talk with parents of young children about the importance of reading aloud at regular well-child visits, with a special focus on children growing up in poverty.
By building on the unique relationship between parents and healthcare providers, Reach Out and Read Colorado helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills and healthy family relationships, so children enter school prepared for success.
Prescription for Reading
At regular well-child visits for children from birth to 5 years, the healthcare provider shares a new, developmentally- and language-appropriate book with the child and talks with the caregiver about the importance of reading together. When the visit is over, the family leaves with the book and a prescription for daily reading.
Books & Support
Partner pediatric offices receive books, training, and support from Reach Out and Read Colorado. Nearly 2,000 healthcare providers across the state have been trained to use books as an exam room diagnostic tool to discuss early literacy with parents and evaluate child development.
ResilientKids & Families
Research shows that families that participate in the program read to their children more often. Children’s language skills and vocabulary are improved, helping young brains to develop and strengthening bonds between parent and child, before a child ever enters school. When children are set up for success from a young age, the possibilities are endless.
Our Partners
Built on & Backed by science
Reach Out and Read is the only national pediatric literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Reach Out and Read’s effectiveness is consistently supported by independent, peer-reviewed research. Studies show that our model has a significant effect on parental behavior and attitudes toward reading aloud, and that children who participate in our program demonstrate higher language scores. Our impact has been documented in ethnically and economically diverse families throughout the nation.
Families participating in Reach Out and Read are 250% more likely to read to their children.
Children’s language development is improved significantly with Reach Out and Read.
American Academy of Pediatrics Reiterates Shared Reading Supports Children’s Long-Term Health and Well-Being through Relationships
In an updated policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the latest research showing the significance of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships as a protective buffer against the biological harms of toxic stress on children – as well as a key toward building resilience.
[ American Academy of Pediatrics ]
Encouraging Parent–Child Book Sharing: Potential Additive Benefits of Literacy Promotion in Health Care and the Community
Parents who received both a book and guidance through Reach Out and Read about the importance of reading were more likely to engage in literacy activities with their children through book sharing at home.
[ Early Childhood Research Quarterly ]
Our Team
Patty Fontneau
Jessie Chase
Lisa Dresselhaus
Judy Duarte
Harrison Holcomb
Favorite Children's Book:
Annie Immele
Myung Oak Kim
Kathie King
Kelcey Kuntz
Katie Malone
Cindy Phelps
Celia Solomon
Our board of directors
Suzy Jaeger
Senior Vice President, Chief Patient Experience and Access Officer, Children's Hospital Colorado
Steve Bain
Attorney, Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley
Emma Bodine, CPA
Audit Manager, Kundinger, Corder & Engle, P.C.
Serena Bruzgo
President, Craig Hospital Foundation
Dee A Daniels, RN, CPNP
Program Director, Sie Center for Down Syndrome, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Rhiannon Hendrickson
Founder & CEO, Orapin Marketing + Public Relations
Scott Hild
Alliance Partner, ChaiOne
Jenny Krause
Director of the Program Management Office, Denver Public Schools
Ken Lund, JD
Managing Director, Advisory PwC
Bridgitt Mitchell, MBA, Ed.D.
Sr. Director of Training & Quality,
ZERO TO THREE
Joe Nimmons
Colorado Region President, Huntington Bank
Ruben Rueda
Vice President, FirstBank
Jessica Sanchez
Vice President, Quality & Operations, Colorado Community Health Network
Michelle Shiffman, MD
Pediatrician, Denver Health
Becky Takeda-Tinker, PhD
Pediatrician, Denver Health
Kerri Webster
Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer, Children's Hospital Colorado
Kimberly White, MD
Pediatrician & Clinic Director, Every Child Pediatrics
Steve Vogler, MD, MSPH
Retired Pediatrician, Denver Health Westside Clinic
Our Provider Advisory Board
Ashley Fredrickson, NP | Kids First Health Care
Nicholas Gilman, MD | Denver Health
Morgan Hungenberg, MD | Salud Fort Morgan
Deniz Kolozs, MD | Kaiser Aurora Centerpointe
Kelsea Loveless-Hoffman, MD | Pediatric Partners of Glenwood Springs
Kristie Malik, MD | Special Care Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado
Anna-Lisa Munson, MD | Denver Health Webb Pediatrics
Cherie Nuanes, PA | Denver SAFE Center and PEDUC
Samantha Stough, DO | Colorado Mountain Medical
Megan Townsend, PA | Denver Health Lowry Family Health
Michelle Shiffman, MD, RORCO Medical Director | Denver Health Pena
Our Associate Board
Phil McDermott
Ruth Carver Bondurant
Jessica Slattery
Sam McEvans
Ashleigh Stepanian
Celeste Debnam
Emily Siskind
Alana Macy
