Reach Out and Read Northwest
Reach Out and Read Northwest
Each and every gift, no matter the amount, will help set a child up for success — in school and in life in the Northwest.
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Investing in Impact
Reach Out and Read Northwest partners directly with 3300 pediatric clinicians in 399 program sites across Oregon and Washington states to support early literacy and healthy relationships through parent-child shared reading.
Nearly 200,000 children received 419,000 well-child visits integrating the Reach Out and Read model. Over 350,000 books were placed into the hands of young children and their families, along with modeling and guidance from pediatric clinicians on what to expect and how best to support their child’s developing literacy.
Our evidence-based model is backed by a large and growing body of academic research and is the only literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Our Program
Reach Out and Read Northwest gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
419,000
well-child visits annually
well-child visits annually
399
program sites
program sites
350,000
books provided annually
books provided annually
Featured News
A statement on Washington State budget cuts
At Reach Out and Read Northwest, our commitment to children and families has never wavered. We have worked with Washington’s pediatric clinicians to incorporate shared reading into well-child visits for nearly three decades. Our evidence-based model supports early brain development, fosters strong parent-child bonds, and lays the foundation for long-term school and life success. As […]
Reading tips
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Tips for reading with all young children
- Make reading part of every day, even for just a few minutes. Have fun.
- Talk about the pictures. You do not have to read the book to tell a story.
- Let your child turn the pages.
- Show your child the cover page and explain what the story is about.
- Run your finger along the words as you read them.
- Silly sounds, especially animal sounds, are fun to make.
- Choose books about events in your child’s life such as starting preschool, going to the dentist, getting a new pet, or moving to a new home.
- Make the story come alive. Create voices for the story characters.
- Ask questions about the story. What do you think will happen next? What is this?
- Let your child ask questions about the story. Talk about familiar activities and objects.
- Let your child retell the story.
- Visit your local library often.
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Make the most out of reading with your little one
Explore a Reach Out and Read Minnesota clinician’s top tips to help families enjoy the benefits of reading together, from using different voices to asking children questions while reading.
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Reading with your baby
- Hold your baby on your lap while you read.
- Babies like board books, pictures of babies, rhymes and songs from the same book over and over, and when you point at pictures — this is how babies learn!
- Check out this video where Dr. Ruby Dey demonstrates ways to use a high-contrast book to create meaningful moments with your newborn, and this video where she shares how to engage with your 6-month-old through shared reading.
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Reading with your 1-year-old
- Let your toddler move around while you are reading.
- Name the pictures — this is how toddlers learn new words.
- Read labels and signs wherever you go.
- Toddlers like the same book over and over; a book at bedtime; to choose and hold the book; books about food, trucks, animals, and children; and books with few words.
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Reading with your 2-year-old
- Read labels and signs wherever you go.
- Keep different books around the house and let your child choose.
- 2-year-olds like to help turn the pages, to fill in the words in a story they know, to point and name pictures; to hear the same book over and over, books that are silly; and animal books and animal noises.
- Check out this video where Dr. Ruby Dey demonstrates ways to engage your busy 18-month-old as you read together.
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Reading with your preschool child
- Have your child sit close or on your lap while reading.
- Ask questions about the story.
- Let your child tell you stories.
- Make weekly visits to the children’s room at the library so your child can choose more books.
- Children like longer books that tell stories; books without words; alphabet and counting books; books about families, friends, and going to school; and a book at bedtime.
- Check out this video where Dr. Ruby Dey demonstrates ways to engage your curious 4-year-old as you read together.
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Watch, listen, and learn (about reading and literacy)
- Hear from Dr. Ruby Dey about how Reach Out and Read works within her practice
- Click here to experience a Reach Out and Read well-child check up visit
- Watch a 2-month-old and her mom learn about the importance of early literacy
- Listen to the Reach Out and Read Podcast featuring engaging conversations with experts in childhood health and literacy
- Video from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child
Jessica Mortensen became the first Regional Executive Director of Reach Out and Read Northwest after overseeing the regionalization of Reach Out and Read’s programs in Oregon and Washington in the fall of 2021. She currently oversees a high-performing staff and provides strategic direction for more than 400 medical clinics that reach over 200,000 families annually at well-child visits. Jessica was Reach Out and Read Washington’s Program Director (2010–15), Deputy Director (2015–17), and Executive Director (2017–21).
During her tenure with Reach Out and Read Jessica has cultivated partnerships and relationships that support healthcare professional practice change. She played a pivotal role in the creation and implementation of a program quality evaluation and improvement system that Reach Out and Read adopted nationally, and currently co-chairs the National Book Committee. She completed her Master’s in Library and Information Science at the University of Washington and her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Art History at Whitman College.
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Dr. Woodruff practices at Pediatrics Northwest in Tacoma. She received her undergraduate degree from Seattle University, her MD from the University of Washington, and completed her pediatrics residency at Mt. Zion Hospital, Stanford, and University of California, San Francisco. She brought Reach Out and Read to her Tacoma pediatric practice in 2001, and their four practice locations in Pierce and King Counties will distribute 10,000 books this year. Passionate about spreading the program, Dr. Woodruff became a Reach Out and Read National Trainer, helping doctors in Washington, Oregon, and California implement the program. She went on to co-found Reach Out and Read Washington State in 2007. She serves as the Washington Medical Director playing a vital strategic role. She helps inform new partnerships and initiatives, bringing the critical front-line perspective of a longtime practitioner, who is currently experiencing the rapid changes in medical practice.
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Marissa Lachaga is a rural family medicine physician assistant in Eastern Oregon. She completed her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Utah. She is an AHEC Scholar and competed the two-year interdisciplinary program through the Health Resources and Services Administration for healthcare professionals interested in serving and gaining a deeper understanding of the health care needs of urban and rural underserved or vulnerable populations. She was first introduced to the Reach Out and Read program at a Federally Qualified Health Center and immediately realized the positive impact and importance of developing stronger communities. She became passionate about integrating Reach Out and Read into her daily well-child visits, promoting reading, family relationships, and healthy childhood development. She serves as the Oregon Medical Director and is earnest about advocating for Reach Out and Read at both local and national levels.
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Hannah Slaughter is the Regional Program Director at Reach Out and Read Northwest. She directs our multi-state program strategy, implementation, data, and analysis to ensure that clinical sites across the region have the leadership and support to offer high-quality programs to children and families. Hannah previously served as the Program Director for Reach Out and Read Washington from 2018–2021, and as a Program Specialist from 2012–2018.
Prior to joining Reach Out and Read, Hannah worked with faculty, residents, and medical students at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. She facilitated process improvement projects to ensure patient safety, implemented quality assurance standards, managed the Internal Medicine Residency Program’s annual recruitment process, and coordinated educational conferences and orientations. Hannah received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art Photography and a minor in Diversity from the University of Washington.
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Zakiya serves as the Associate Director of Development for the Northwest region at Reach Out and Read, where she brings over 18 years of expertise as a seasoned thought partner and leader in the nonprofit sector. As the Associate Director, Zakiya plays a key role in corporate relationships and foundation funding management.
Driven by a deep passion for serving underserved and marginalized communities, Zakiya applies an equity lens to donor work and is dedicated to addressing systemic issues and fostering sustainable change. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and an undergraduate degree in African and African Diaspora Studies, nee Africology, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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Shannon Blood joined Reach Out and Read as the Associate Director of Policy and Partnerships for the Northwest Region in 2024. Her focus is on creating and implementing effective policy, advocacy, and communications strategies to support sustainability, growth, and visibility for Reach Out and Read Northwest.
Shannon has worked in the public and private sectors for over 25 years in early childhood and family support services. Her most recent focus area has been working cross-sector to explore, develop and advocate for health care financing (such as Medicaid) for maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting. Shannon is known as a strong advocate for critical system and policy changes that authentically engage multiple community perspectives early on and continuously.
Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in community services from St. Martin’s University and a master’s degree in strategic communications from Washington State University. When not working, she carves out time for hiking, photography, and creative writing challenges.
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Ash Powers joined Reach Out and Read Northwest as a Program Manager in 2024. They provide direct support to program sites in South Puget Sound, Southwest Washington, and on the Olympic Peninsula through quality assurance and building relationships with clinical staff and health systems to sustain successful program implementation. Ash began their career in violence prevention education at their alma mater, Colorado State University (Go Rams!). This work taught them how important it is to support social change, community connection, and that everyone has a story. They believe that everyone deserves to show up in spaces as their full authentic self. In their free time, Ash is reading fantasy and science fiction, swing dancing, rock climbing and playing with their two pugs, Fig and Ronan.
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Kelsey Gallagher joined Reach Out and Read Northwest as a Program Manager in 2022. She strengthens relationships with clinic staff and partners directly with clinics to support their successful program implementation.
As a previous educator, Kelsey understands firsthand the need for early literacy intervention in her students. Her certifications as a Reading Specialist, English Language Instructor, Special Education Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Instructional Coach, and more provide a unique lens to further the Reach Out and Read vision and assure quality implementation of our program model.
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Danno joined Reach Out and Read as a Program Manager in 2025, providing direct support to sites in Southern, Eastern, and Central Oregon. Danno’s career journey began with door-to-door canvassing, LGBTQ+ student advocacy, and statewide/national foster youth policy advocacy. They spent many years in domestic violence support services before entering administrative public library work and DEI consulting. Danno found their home in early literacy program support which combines their passion for advocacy and prevention with their love of books. They are currently enrolled in Information & Library Science and Data Science courses with University of Maine Augusta. In their free time, Danno reads around 40 books a year. They enjoy board games, lake days, and watching Star Trek. They live with their fiancé, their two children, and a cat.
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Melissa MacCoumber joined Reach Out and Read Northwest as a Program Manager in 2024. She provides direct support to program sites in Northwest Oregon including the Portland Metro area through quality assurance and building relationships with clinical staff and health systems to sustain successful program implementation. Melissa’s career has been focused on improving health and educational outcomes for marginalized communities as both an educator and a nurse. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University and also worked as a License Practical Nurse. In her personal time, Melissa likes listening to audiobooks while enjoying nearby natural wonders like Silver Falls with her wife and their dog, Jinx.
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Jill Kong joined Reach Out and Read Northwest as a Grant Specialist in 2025. She supports the sustainability and growth of Reach Out and Read in the states of Washington and Oregon, and is responsible for pursuing and securing grants that fund the organization’s impactful work and strategic priorities.
Prior to joining Reach Out and Read, she worked in political organizing, grassroots advocacy and nonprofit direct service fields in the Puget Sound Region for 7 years. Her nonprofit roles have included coalition facilitation, program management, grant administration and development leadership. As an immigrant trans woman from China, she is a fierce queer/trans justice advocate, and has organized the Washington-based community group Asian Trans Sisters since 2023.
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