Wisconsin - Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin

More than just books, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin uses trusted medical professionals to support parents and encourage healthy child development.

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Reach Out and Read Wisconsin Receives $45,000 Grant

The grant will fund a diverse book initiative called Mirrors & Windows. It will deepen the dialogue with clinic staff about the importance of diverse books that both reflect children's lives and offer windows into the experience of other people.

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Impact

With 308 participating sites in medical clinics across Wisconsin, we provide more than 148,000 children and their families in 61 counties with books and resources to empower parents as their child’s first and best teacher.

Reach Out and Read is a two generation intervention built and backed by science and a growing body of academic research. We utilize the existing medical infrastructure to encourage supportive, educational conversations with parents on the importance of reading aloud and the impact on a child’s brain development.

Read our latest impact report.

Our Program

The first three years of a child's life are critical. By promoting reading aloud and positive daily child-caregiver interactions, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin helps ensure that every child has the healthy foundation they need - cognitively, socially and emotionally.

> See Our Program

148,000
children served

308
program sites

304,000
books distributed

Give the gift of Reach Out and Read to a Wisconsin family today.

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“I would rather walk into a child’s regular checkup without my stethoscope than without a book.”

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD
Reach Out and Read Medical Director, Wisconsin

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin is supported by trusted pediatricians, residents and medical providers across the state who give their time, talents and expertise to help support parents in preparing their children for success in school and in life.

Corporate, Foundation and Government Support

Common Ground

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation

Hugh J. Andersen Family Foundation

Kohl Philanthropies

Molina Healthcare of WI

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Otto Bremer Trust

Reach Out and Read, Inc.

Roots & Wings Foundation

State of Wisconsin

St. Croix Valley Foundation

U.S. Venture

UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital

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Health System Partners

Children’s Wisconsin

UW American Family Children’s Hospital

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In-Kind Support

All About Books

Interstate Books4School

Scholastic, Inc.

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Strategic Partnerships

Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Raising Wisconsin

Reach Out and Read Partners – Fox Cities

Reach Out and Read Partners – Manitowoc County

United Way of Greater Chippewa Valley

Wisconsin Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.

Wisconsin Public Library System

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Advisory Council

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, Reach Out and Read

DeDe Williams, Reach Out and Read

Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP, Dedicated Family Care (Co-Chair)

Colleen Murphy, PhD, Community Early Childhood Systems Building Start Early (Co-Chair)

Sarah Barton, Acelero Learning

Ann Cooksey, Appleton Public Library

Molly Cousin, MD, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers

Jessica Doyle, Retired educator, Former First Lady of Wisconsin

David Gerhard, MD, Gundersen Health System

Kelly Gorman, JD, Fox, O’Neill & Shannon

Ashleigh Henrichs, Wisconsin Literacy

Jen Jackson, Business Growth Consultant

Susanne Krasovich, MD, ProHealth Care

Ramon Martinez, Children’s Wisconsin

Mary Morgan, Reading Group Choices

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Children’s Cooperative Book Center

Heide Piehler, Retired Youth Services Librarian, Shorewood Public Library

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In addition to our medical community, we are extremely grateful to our state, community, foundation partners and individuals that help us reach more children each year.

Early Literacy Program Helps Build Strong Foundations for Children

March 4, 2025

(Aspirus Health) Reading is one of the most powerful tools for a child’s development, helping to build language skills, improve cognitive function, and strengthen emotional bonds with caregivers. According to Reach Out and Read, families participating in the program are 2.5 times more likely to read with their children, leading to improved school readiness and […]

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