The senators are seeking $5 million in fiscal 2003 funding for Reach Out and Read. The program works through doctor's offices to promote reading to young patients and their parents.
"Studies show that children acquire language skills at an increased rate the earlier they are exposed to books and reading," Grassley said. "The program recognizes the unique relationship parents have with their children's medical providers. It's aimed at using doctor's visits to encourage parents to read to their children and help kids develop an appreciation for books."
Reach Out and Read has trained more than 14,000 doctors and nurses nationwide to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud to children. The non-profit organization also provides books to children at pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age, with a special emphasis on at-risk children.
Reach Out and Read is located at more than 1,400 sites in 50 states and reaches 1.5 million children each year. The program was founded in 1989 at Boston City Hospital by a group of pediatricians and early childhood educators.
Grassley said despite the program's success, it's still only reaching 25 percent of the at-risk population. The federal contribution to Reach Out and Read has been $2 million for each of the last three years. "An additional $5 million this year can reach hundreds of thousands more children in the coming year and leverage millions of dollars more from the private sector," he said.
Grassley and Kennedy are asking their colleagues to sign on to their appropriations request to Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who as chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education are responsible for drafting the federal government's spending plan for education-related projects in the next fiscal year. The appropriations process begins each spring and is typically completed at the end of each congressional session.