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Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS) - Raising Readers
This statewide early intervention program focuses on improving literacy, school readiness and family-based learning behaviors. EMHS partnered with MaineHealth to create the program in 2000. It now includes 29 hospitals, 329 health centers and six birthing centers across the state. The program also gives free, age-appropriate books to each child at birth and at each well-child visit from two months through five years.
What is it?
This statewide early intervention program focuses on improving literacy, school readiness and family-based learning behaviors. EMHS partnered with MaineHealth to create the program in 2000. It now includes 29 hospitals, 329 health centers and six birthing centers across the state. The program also gives free, age-appropriate books to each child at birth and at each well-child visit from two months through five years.
Who is it for?
All Maine children from birth to age five.
Why do they do it?
Studies show that adults who struggle with reading also struggle with managing their health. The positive sights, sounds and interactions afforded by early literacy help develop bright toddlers, strong students and ultimately, literate and healthier adults.
Impact
Last year, 74 percent of participating providers reported more parents reading to their children. The program has distributed more than 1.5 million books to 180,000 children since 2000.
Contact: Jerry Whalen
Vice President, Business Development
Telephone: 207-973-7051
E-mail: jwhalen@emh.org
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