Amerigroup Washington, one of the state’s coordinators of Medicaid managed healthcare benefits, has joined Reach Out and Read (ROR), International Community Health Services (ICHS) and partnering pediatric primary care providers to improve literacy, development and overall wellness for children across King County in Washington.
Amerigroup recently presented a sponsorship that makes the ROR model available to young children who participate in well-child visits at eight pediatric primary care clinics located in Seattle, Bellevue, Shoreline, Federal Way and Kent. Amerigroup funds allow ROR to procure 5,000 new books that pediatricians can use during well-child visits to turn regular check-ups into springboards for healthy family relationships. Pediatricians match the new, developmentally appropriate books with each family’s culture, race, ethnicity and language, and give them to their patients to build their home libraries.
It gives physicians the opportunity to speak with parents about the benefits of reading aloud, as well as how to talk about stories with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Physicians can use the books as developmental surveillance tools, and to improve early relational health by creating positive, memorable moments between children and their caregivers. This early literacy intervention approach promotes healthy brain development, language acquisition and family bonds, while also building a strong foundation for children to cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically thrive in both school and life.
“Amerigroup takes a holistic approach to positively transform health outcomes by not only addressing traditional physical health needs, but also considering the social factors that influence overall health and wellness,” said Anthony E. Woods, president of Amerigroup Washington. “By promoting the ROR model through valued pediatric provider partners, we can effectively prepare children to reach their full potential and achieve future success.”
More than 33,000 medical providers across the country practice the ROR model, which champions the positive effects of daily reading and other language-rich activities for young children. ROR is the only national literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics for literacy development and childhood toxic stress prevention.
“We know that one of the most important things we can do to impact the long-term health of our patients is to support early literacy,” said Kelli Nomura, CEO of International Community Health Services. “That’s why we’ve implemented the ROR program for 14 years now to support our community members to ensure they have access to bilingual books. We are grateful for Amerigroup’s generous support and partnership to promote literacy in primary care that helps the children we serve to thrive.”
“The ROR model is supported by more than 20 independent, peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate that children who participate achieve higher language scores; have more well-child visits, immunization rates and screenings; and build stronger emotional connections to loved ones,” said Jessica Mortensen, regional executive director of Reach Out and Read Northwest. “Brain imaging studies have proven that when families read aloud to young children, there is increased development in regions of the brain associated with learning and higher thinking processes. Additionally, the ROR model has a significant effect on parental behaviors and positive interactions with care providers during clinical visits, so we thank Amerigroup for helping to promote these benefits and improve lives.”
Amerigroup’s sponsorship will make books and ROR programming available at the following practices:
- ICHS International District Medical & Dental Clinic
- ICHS Holly Park Medical & Dental Clinic
- ICHS Shoreline Medical & Dental Clinic
- ICHS Bellevue Medical & Dental Clinic
- Pediatrics Northwest Federal Way
- Country Doctor Community Clinic
- UW Medicine Pediatric Clinic at Harborview
- UW Medicine Primary Care at Kent-Des Moines
To learn more about Reach Out and Read programing and benefits, visit www.reachoutandread.org.
About Amerigroup Washington
Amerigroup Washington helps improve health care access and quality for Washington residents by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and person-centered. Amerigroup Washington provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in improving and managing their health. Through access to health education programs, our members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
For more information, visit www.myamerigroup.com/wa.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: christitzeimaging.com/shutterstock.com.
