ReadWell: Supporting Pediatric Literacy through Healthcare Providers
For over 30 years, BookSpring has been supporting the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in very young children from birth through age 6. Through longstanding partnerships with local healthcare providers, very low income children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills. Literacy research shows not only improved educational outcomes from pediatric literacy interventions, but improved health outcomes as well.
If you are a healthcare provider that works with low income children in Central Texas, you can apply to become a part of ReadWell and get books for your pediatric practice. If you are outside of Central Texas, please let us know of your interest even though we might not be able to serve you directly, and we are aways eager to find ways to support your pediatric literacy practice. We have limited availability but will strive to include as many partners as we can. Apply for ReadWell to get books for your pediatric wellness practice.
The Program
- Providers agree to make literacy a standard part of a well-child check-up.
- BookSpring provides a steady stream of books matched to the provider’s patients’ needs.
- Children will be given a choice of language and developmentally appropriate books.
- Physicians encourage parents to take the time to read to their children and distribute materials to motivate family reading in the home.
- Parents are provided with additional materials such as reading tip cards, videos, and a chance to get even more books through Books Beginning at Birth.
Our ReadWell program is currently restricted to clinics that serve low-income populations of at least 50% low-income in Central Texas, that is families who are on CHiP, Medicaid, WIC, or no insurance at all. This reflects a deep cost discount due to the generous philanthropic support of many generous individuals and agencies such as United Way of Greater Austin and The St. David’s Foundation. Each year over 20,000 children are served by ReadWell. These children gain the lifelong benefits of being read aloud to and building a home library from birth.
Partner With Us
BookSpring is currently taking applications and renewals from the healthcare community for the ReadWell program. Please follow the link below. You will need to assure that your clinic is eligible and decide how many and what types of books you would like to receive for them, and if you want monthly or quarterly deliveries. Current fees charged to participating providers are only $0.79 cents per well-child exam, including books and supporting materials for caregivers delivered to your site. You can apply to receive books through this link:
NOTE: If you are pregnant or a family member seeking direct health and wellness services, please reach out to Travis County Healthy Families or ATX Connect.