Connected families. Healthy kids. Prepared for success.
Reach Out and Read Colorado partners with health care providers to encourage families with young children to read aloud together, building a foundation for success. Reach Out and Read Colorado empowers health care providers to talk with parents of young children about the importance of reading aloud at health check-ups with a special focus on children growing up in poverty. By building on the unique relationship between parents and health care providers, Reach Out and Read Colorado helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills, so children enter school prepared for success.
Partner clinics receive books, training, and support from Reach Out and Read Colorado. Over 1,700 health care providers across the state have been trained to use books as an exam room tool to discuss early literacy with parents and evaluate child development.
At health check-ups for children ages 6 months to 5 years, the health care provider shares a brand new, developmentally- and language-appropriate book with the child and talks with the family about reading together. When the visit is over the family leaves with the book and a prescription for reading
Families that participate in the program read to their children more often, sharing books two or more times per week. Children’s language and reading skills are improved, helping young brains to develop and strengthening bonds between parent and child.
Reach Out and Read Colorado partners with health care providers to encourage families with young children to read aloud together, building a foundation for success.
Donate Now Our Staff
Anne Tengler
Executive Director
Favorite Children's Book
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Jessie Chase
Director of Programs
Favorite Children's Book
Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
Krista Lewis
Director of Development
Favorite Children's Book
Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Annie Immele
Special Projects Director
Favorite Children's Book
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Katie Malone
Senior Marketing Manager
Favorite Children's Book
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Aspen Brooks
Accounting & Operations Manager
Favorite Children's Book
The Lorax by Dr Seuss
Judy Duarte
Southern Colorado Regional Coordinator
Favorite Children's Book
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Eric Carle
Cindy Phelps
Northwest Program Coordinator
Favorite Children's Book
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Board of Directors
Simon Hambidge, MD, PhD
Board Chair | Chief Ambulatory Officer at Denver Health and the Chief Executive Officer of Denver Community Health Services (DCHS)
Favorite Children's Book
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Steve Bain
Attorney/shareholder | Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley
Favorite Children's Book
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
Anne Norris Chandler
Community Volunteer
Favorite Children's Book
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Jennifer Delory
Vice President, Internal Audit | FirstBank
Favorite Children's Book
Hand Hand Fingers Thumb by Dr. Suess
Suzy Jaeger
Senior Vice President, Chief Patient Experience and Access Officer | Children’s Hospital Colorado
Favorite Children's Book
Hey Al by Arthur Yorinks
Bobby King
Senior Vice President, HR, Chief Happiness Officer | YMCA of Metropolitan Denver
Favorite Children's Book
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Jenny Krause
Director of the Program Management Office | Denver Public Schools
Favorite Children's Book
The Three Questions by Jon J Muth
George Love, Jr.
Senior Vice President | BOK Financial Private Wealth Group
Favorite Children's Book
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Maria Montoya, CPA
Director | Kundinger, Corder & Engle, P. C.
Favorite Children's Book
Pigs Rock! by Melanie Davis Jones and Bob Staake
Kristi Novinger
Portfolio Leader | Point B
Favorite Children's Book
If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
Denise Vega
Published Author, Freelance Writer, Faculty and Writing Instructor
Favorite Children's Book
Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman
Steve Vogler, MD, MSPH
Medical Director | Pediatrician at Sam Sandos Westside Health Center
Favorite Children's Book
How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Mary Zavadil, MD
Pediatrician aChildren's Medical Center
Favorite Children's Book
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
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