Reading aloud to children is a proven technique to help them cope with stress and anxiety, whether it is because of natural disaster, separation from a parent, or another difficult situation. Because of the unique pressures on military families, including separation, deployment, injury, or even the death of a parent, Reach Out and Read launched an initiative in 2006 to deliver our model to military children nationwide.

Given the countless sacrifices that members of our Armed Services and their families make for our country, they deserve nothing but the best - including quality health care and proven school readiness strategies. With early support from the Department of Defense, Reach Out and Read began implementing its literacy program at targeted U.S. military healthcare facilities, laying the foundation for one day serving all military families with young children.

The military healthcare system provides full and systematic primary care for the children of military families. Reach Out and Read has the potential to reach all these children, without building additional infrastructure, through a system parents already know.

• 55 U.S. military bases currently participate in Reach Out and Read.
• More than 109,000 children of military families participate in Reach Out and Read annually.
• Reach Out and Read now serves more than 30% of all children 5 and under who get their care at a military treatment facility.
• View the map and list of all U.S. military bases participating in Reach Out and Read.

Learn more about Reach Out and Read's Military Initiative.

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  Reach Out and Read will expand to 100 U.S. bases by 2013, in support of Joining Forces, a White House initiative to honor and support America's service members and their families. Read the release about how Reach Out and Read plans to expand its Military Initiative.
• Incirlik Air Base implements Reach Out and Read program. The U.S. Air Force Base in Incirlik, Turkey officially joined the Reach Out and Read program. Watch the fantastic TV news coverage on the launch of the program.
• First Gentleman of Washington State Mike Gregoire tours Reach Out and Read Program at Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Everett. Read the Northwest Navigator article about his visit. Mr. Gregoire was also instrumental in making it possible for 21 other First Spouses to tour the Reach Out and Read Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC during the 2011 National Governors Association conference.

"Reading to children improves family relationships, reduces stress, and promotes resiliency. In fact, parents reading daily to their children may be one of the greatest protective factors for families during deployment."