Reach Out and Read

When the weight of the world feels nonstop, slipping into survival mode can feel like the only option. But what if there’s a different way—one that’s rooted in honesty, resilience, and real, grounded hope? Welcome back to Gather at the Well, hosted by Lindsey Fuller Executive Director of The Teaching Well In this episode, Lindsey dives into the practice of cultivating critical hope—a powerful mindset that helps human-centered leaders stay resilient and rooted amidst change. Join us for Episode 2, as Lindsey breaks down ways we can hold space for challenges while still believing in possibility. Think: duality declarations, everyday rituals to re-center your mindset, and showing up with truth and compassion. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to cultivate hope as a daily leadership practice. Live now 🎧 Episode Shownotes: https://lnkd.in/gNHUxFNg Listen to the Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gmnWv28D

"We need to teach our children problem solving and creative thinking, and not to just memorize and repeat back." Barney Saltzberg was sent by the U.S. State Department to China and Russia as part of a creativity mission — where he taught children to turn mistakes into stories and stories into joy.  From drawing dinosaurs out of Chinese characters to watching Russian students sing John Denver’s “Country Roads,” his experience revealed that creativity is not just a skill, it’s a form of connection.  On the latest #RORPodcast, Barney joins host Dr. Dipesh Navsaria to share how storytelling, art, and "always, always, always” books create bridges across borders. And why we must keep encouraging creativity, wherever we are: https://lnkd.in/eANzHx8H.  

How can community partnerships strengthen pediatric care? Join Reach Out & Read Illinois on April 17 for Resilience Through Connection: Leveraging Community Partnerships to Mitigate ACEs, an interactive webinar focused on building trauma-informed, resilient pediatric care through collaboration. This session will highlight key community resources that support children impacted by ACEs and offer strategies for effective partnership between health care providers and community organizations. 📌 Save your spot today! https://lnkd.in/g7g7Aw63

“To improve population health, rectify health inequities, strengthen community health system responses, and secure high value from health investments, the evidence is clear that a major focus must be placed on children.” The State of Healthy Parenting in Primary Care Interventions in Advancing Health Equity, a discussion paper from the National Academy of Medicine, focuses on primary care settings as a key lever for engaging with parents and children. The paper, co-authored by Reach Out and Read Chief of Research and Innovation Nikki Shearman, looks at existing efforts to advance healthy parenting programs, including Reach Out and Read, and suggests next steps to move the field toward additional innovation, diffusion, scaling, adaptation, and funding of effective interventions. https://lnkd.in/dBvumtpd

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a powerful video series to support pediatricians and other health care professionals in integrating Early Relational Health into practice. From recognizing the impact of safe, stable, nurturing relationships to providing practical interventions in primary care, these resources provide valuable insights to shape healthier futures for children and families. https://lnkd.in/gFFHpMrZ

“I hold that book out to the child. And I look to see: Are they interested in it? Do they take the book from me? Do they explore it? If they’re an older child, do they jump off the exam table, run over to me, grab the book from my hands and start flipping pages? I am skillfully and intentionally observing all of these things. … Gross motor skills, fine motor skills, they’re being read to. ” — Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, Medical Director, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin. A collaboration with Epic means Dr. Navsaria and other clinicians can make the Reach Out and Read moment even more meaningful by using electronic medical records to document those observations and important conversations with families. https://lnkd.in/g_QeUjjF

🚨 We’re hiring in Ohio! One of Reach Out and Read's newest Affiliates needs a Founding Executive Director to lead the charge. If you are a results-oriented, collaborative, entrepreneurial leader ready to shape statewide impact from the ground up, this hybrid, Ohio-based role is the one for you! You’ll oversee fundraising, strategic planning, fiscal management, partnerships, and brand elevation — ensuring every child gets the strong start they deserve. Know someone perfect for this role? Tag them. Is it you? Apply today! https://lnkd.in/geEBvAtK

"When asked to recall our earliest memories, many of us are not able to pinpoint exactly when or where they occurred. However, we can often remember who was there … because we grow up in the context of our relationships with others." That's the power of Early Relational Health. From birth to age 3, a child’s brain makes over 1 million neural connections per second. During this critical period, safe, stable, and nurturing relationships lay the groundwork for a lifetime of health and development. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health deepens our understanding of how healthy early relationships impact well-being. Learn how these findings are shaping policy, programs, and potential for every child. https://lnkd.in/gZJvyDUz

Hiring alert: Chief Financial and Administration Officer! 💼📚 Strong financial and operational leadership fuels mission impact. That’s why we’re looking for a CFAO to serve as the CEO’s strategic partner — designing fiscal frameworks, scaling operational excellence, and aligning resources with our commitment to children and families. This is more than a finance role — it’s a chance to lead with purpose. From talent management and culture to IT and operations, you’ll drive cross-functional strategies that support our growing national network. If you're a mission-driven leader ready to connect financial stewardship directly to strategic outcomes, we’d love to hear from you. [https://lnkd.in/gtRjwxVJ)

The way pediatricians address childhood trauma is evolving, says one of the leaders of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ new National Center for Relational Health and Trauma-Informed Care. The center’s recommendations, guidelines, and training will help clinicians “promote safe, stable and nurturing relationships, recognize and treat trauma, and provide guidance and support to help children and families thrive.” https://lnkd.in/gSbeB4Xp