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SUPPORT REACH OUT AND READ INDIANA IN MEMORY OF CHANIECE WALLACE

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Dr. Chaniece Wallace was passionate about pediatric primary care and understood the immense value of programs like Reach Out and Read. Working in conjunction with Chaniece's family and her colleagues at Riley, several initiatives have been set up to provide direct financial support to her family, education support for Chaniece's newborn daughter Charlotte, and to help honor Chaniece's memory by supporting causes she believed in such as Reach Out and Read.

 

You can donate to Reach Out and Read Indiana using the portal below. All donations received in this manner between 10/29/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be used to buy books in support of the Reach Out and Read Program at clinics in Indianapolis. Your donation may be tax deductible, and a receipt for your donation will be delivered via email. 

Reach Out and Read Indiana is dedicated to giving our state’s youngest children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

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The program begins in infancy and continues through age 5 years, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities.  Pediatric providers throughout Indiana prescribe new books to their youngest patients and encourage families to read together.  Ages birth to 5 are the most critical for brain and language development, and parents and caregivers play a crucial role in their child’s development.  Children who are read to at an early age develop a lifetime love of books and learning.

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The program is led by Program Coordinator, Madison Criswell, with the support of the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and volunteer Medical Director, Dr. Katie Swec. 

We serve
146 thousand children
across Indiana

  • We have provided more than 85,500 new age-appropriate books to children  

  • Assist 149 clinics in implementation of Reach Out and Read Indiana 

  • Trained 620 physicians 

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Last week, I saw 2 sisters (9mo and 2yo) with their mother.  At previous visits the 2yo, who has a speech delay, had been hesitant to interact with me, and her Mom had often seemed harried and stressed.  Last week, when I entered the room and handed her a ROR book, she immediately opened it and sat down to look at the pictures.  I commented on the fact that she knew just what to do with the book, and that her family has clearly been reading to her.  Her Mom smiled and said “She has so many books, I need to get her a bookshelf!”  Throughout the visit, it became clear that this little girl is making excellent progress in her speech - she was much more interactive than at previous visits, initiated speech with her Mom and with me, and even sat on my lap to look at and talk about her new book while her sister was getting her vaccines.  It was clear that her Mom was not only proud of her daughter’s love of books and improved vocabulary, but was also much happier and more relaxed herself.  It was a wonderful visit!"

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- Reach Out and Read Pediatrician, Marion County 

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