Children’s Hospital of Richmond Pediatric ER Receives Donation to Literacy Program

By Matt Miller
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The Children’s Hospital of Richmond’s pediatric emergency room on the MCV Campus recently received a $2,500 gift from the Barton Malow Co. to benefit the Reach Out and Read literacy program.

Jeff Wraley, who presented the donation on behalf of the Barton Malow Co., discovered the program during the recent opening of the new state-of-the-art pediatric ER facility. Wraley said Barton Malow hoped to help children in a difficult time while promoting a positive action in their lives.

“It’s a traumatic experience and we would like to brighten up their day,” said Wraley, a project engineer.

Robin Foster, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine and director of pediatric emergency services, Children's Hospital of Richmond, received the donation to cover the purchase of children’s books in the 5- to 17-year-old reading level.

According to Foster, children who have been exposed to Reach Out and Read in pediatric practice are on average six months ahead developmentally when they enter school than children who haven’t been exposed to the program. They also have much higher expressive and recessive language scores when they enter kindergarten.

“Not only are the kids more school ready due to the program, but they are also more compliant with their primary care physician and their immunization schedule because they had a much better relationship with that practice,” said Foster.

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. The program builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at six months of age to promote language skills for success.

For more information about Reach Out and Read, visit http://www.reachoutandread.org.