The Reach Out and Read American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Coalition was established in 2007 as a partnership between the AAP Committee on Native American Child Health (CONACH), the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Reach Out and Read to:

• Providing on-site training, technical assistance, and quality improvement visits to I/T/U Programs.

• Securing funding for each Program's annual book budget. Most I/T/U clinics are under funded and lack the discretionary funds to purchase Reach Out and Read books.

• Expanding the Reach Out and Read program to additional I/T/U clinics across the country.

• Procuring books with Native American themes and in Native American languages.

• 80 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children on reservations live in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

• As a group, AI/AN children have the poorest test scores, the lowest high school graduation rates, and the worst college entry and graduation rates of any minority group in the United States.

• There are approximately 400 Indian Health Service/Tribal/Urban (I/T/U) clinics nationwide that care for 75 percent of AI/AN children, and provide an established infrastructure to reach this population.

• There are limited AI/AN-themed children's books available, and those that exist are quite expensive.

• 211 Sites (click here for map and list of Sites)

• More than 55,000 Native American children ages 6 months – 5 years served

• More than 140,000 new, developmentally-appropriate books distributed each year

Learn more about the Reach Out and Read’s American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative

Through a new partnership, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is now providing critical funding for a majority of Reach Out and Read's American Indian/Alaska Native Programs. With RIF's support, Reach Out and Read hopes to significantly increase the number of I/T/U clinics participating in Reach Out and Read.

Start-up Funding Available

• If your Site serves AI/AN families, we may have funding available to start your Reach Out and Read Program. Please contact:
  Stacie Fredriksson or 617-455-0658.

The Advisory Board, led by two co-Medical Directors, provides oversight and guidance to Reach Out and Read AI/AN activities.

Medical Directors

William Flood MD, FAAP
Steve Holve MD, FAAP

Advisory Board

Bronwen Anders MD, FAAP
Alfreda Beartrack
George Brenneman MD, FAAP
Brady Englestead MD, FAAP
Angela Erdrich MD
Barbara Johnson
Warren Pratt
Debbie Reese (Nambe Pueblo)
Cecelia Tallchief
Pat VanMaanen