(The Center Square) – A literacy program continues to expand in Illinois.
The “Reach Out and Read Illinois” program will now be available in Winnebago County. Participating pediatricians give their patients a book following their checkups starting at six months old until they’re five.
Julie Bosma, president of the Rock River Valley United Way, said literacy programs are in need.
“We have 43 million Americans functionally illiterate,” said Bosma. “In Winnebago County, only 32% of our children are reading at grade level.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the program has a track record of preparing children for kindergarten.
“We all know that developing and educating our youngest at the most critical times in their lives is one of our foremost obligations,” Pritzker said Thursday in Rockford. “We owe every child growing up in Illinois the opportunity and resources they need to live a happy and healthy life.”
Taxpayer-funded grants of up to $10,000 are available from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Since its launch, the Reach Out and Read Illinois program has provided $170,000 to over 50 clinics both newly and currently implementing the program throughout the state.
Doctors have given Illinois families more than 180,000 books through the program.
“Our program strengthens the relationships between children and their caregivers and lays the foundation for early learning,” said Reach Out and Read Illinois Medical Director Dr. Mariana Glusman.
