HILO, Hawaii — Mayor Mitch Roth, together with Hawaii County’s new Early Childhood Resource Coordinator Angela Thomas, kicked off the “Reach Out and Read” campaign in Hilo on Tuesday, emphasizing what he says is the county’s commitment to early childhood learning.

What You Need To Know

  • The “Reach Out and Read” program distributes age-appropriate books to families through pediatricians and health clinics

  • County of Hawaii funding will provide the program to all pediatricians and other practitioners who see infants and young children for wellness checks

  • Thomas has assembled a working group of early childhood education providers and professionals to provide input into Hawaii Islands’ needs

“Reach Out and Read” is a national nonprofit that distributes age-appropriate books to families through pediatricians and health clinics. Their goal is to place books in the hands of families with young children to encourage and foster a love of reading and support early learning.

Tuesday’s book delivery went to Dr. Angela Lind at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center. Her son, Mario, received the first book and was treated to a special reading by Mayor Roth.

“Fostering lifelong learners is a key component to creating a sustainable future for our island that will allow families to thrive and succeed here for generations to come,” said Mayor Roth. “Our administration is committed to solving the many issues plaguing our keiki and their parents and will continue to invest in programs that build child care capacity, bolster workforce development in the child care industry, and support the health and wellbeing of our local families.”

Four island offices are already involved in the program. County of Hawaii funding will provide the program to all Hawaii Island pediatricians and other practitioners who see infants and young children for wellness checks. The first shipment of 5,000 books was shipped last month and divided into 2,500 distributed on each side of the island.

Thomas has assembled a working group of early childhood education providers and professionals to provide input into Hawaii Islands’ needs.

“It has been some time since early childhood professionals have been called on to participate in their industry initiatives,” said Thomas. “This initiative has been prioritized because of our declining third-grade reading scores. Reading at grade level in third grade is an important marker for future success, not only in school, but also in life. Giving our keiki every chance to succeed is a priority for this administration.”

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.