Medical Providers

Medical Providers & Coordinators:

Program Implementation

Successful Reach Out and Read programs require a “medical champion” and an onsite coordinator.

The Reach Out and Read Medical Champion can be a physician or a nurse, and is often NOT the Executive Medical Director, rather a healthcare provider with a passion for literacy promotion.

The Reach Out and Read Medical Director’s responsibilities include

• Consulting with the site coordinator about program operations and staff training.
• Training, retraining providers and educating staff about the value of pediatric early literacy programs.
• Working with the site coordinator and appropriate staff members to access ongoing funding.
• Evaluating program effectiveness.
• Advocating with the institution’s executive and medical leadership to reinforce the value of the Reach Out and Read program, and the medical providers’ commitment to literacy promotion.

The ROR Site Coordinator responsibilities include:

• Selecting, ordering, and distributing books.
• Educating staff about the program, working with the Reach Out and Read Medical Director to set up provider trainings, circulating Reach Out and Read materials and information.
• Any necessary meetings, phone calls, and discussions about the logistics of making the program work in this particular institution.
• Establishing and maintaining the waiting room component of the model, including providing waiting room literacy information and resources, and recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers.
• Networking with community agencies.
• Working with the Reach Out and Read Medical Director to secure on-going local funding
• Maintaining contact with the Reach Out and Read National Center via regular progress reports.
• Working with the Reach Out and Read Medical Director to evaluate program effectiveness.

Training

The Reach Out and Read National Program Manual will guide you in all aspects of the program (link).  In addition, every staff member should participate in the online CME course available via www.myror.org. 

To schedule onsite training for your program, contact Reach Out and Read Texas.