Each ROR Program has an ROR Medical Consultant: a doctor or nurse who is responsible for the job of training medical colleagues, connecting with the executive leadership of the clinic, and generally serving as the medical 'face' of the Program. The Medical Consultant is supported by a Program Coordinator: a person responsible for the administrative aspects of running the ROR Program (i.e. ordering books, stocking exam rooms, coordinating volunteer readers). The Program Coordinator can be any interested staff member familiar with the clinic, the staff, and the patient population. Both roles are usually voluntary in nature and take very little time each month. Occasionally, one person fulfills dual roles of Medical Consultant and Program Coordinator.

All clinics/practices applying to start ROR Programs are required to demonstrate that they have secured at least 75% of their Annual Book Commitment (ABC, the total number of books needed for an ROR Program annually, which is equivalent to the annual number of well-child visits for children ages 6 months through 5 years). On average, ROR Programs spend approximately $2.75/book. Use this simple equation to get an estimate of your Annual Book Budget:

Estimated Annual Book Budget = # of well-child visits (6 months through 5 years) annually X $2.75

Support for an ROR Program's ABC typically comes from a variety of local, regional, and/or statewide resources, and can be either funds for books or actual new books. (Click here to determine if there is an ROR Coalition in your area.) Pediatric clinics/practices that demonstrate in the ROR application that they have the 75% minimum level of support are typically approved and activated. Programs that have not yet met this requirement are placed on a waiting list until they can demonstrate they have secured 75% of their ABC.

A. Complete Program information online

The fastest and most efficient way to apply to become an ROR Program is by applying online.

If you do not have computer capabilities, a paper version of the application is available by contacting the ROR National Center at 617-455-0631 or startup@reachoutandread.org.

B. Upload, Email, Fax, or Mail your Letter of Support

A letter of support must be submitted with your application. This letter must clearly state your senior leadership's commitment, financially and otherwise, to sustain the Reach Out and Read Program. The support letter must be signed by the Medical Director and/or Executive Director of your organization, and must be type-written on company letterhead. Read a sample letter of support.

You may submit your letter of support:

• By uploading
  Once an application is started, you will have the option to upload your letter of support directly to the National Center.
• By email, as an attachment
  startup@reachoutandread.org.
• By fax
  617-455-0601.
• By mail National Programs Assistant
  Reach Out and Read National Center
  56 Roland Street, Suite 100D
  Boston, MA 02129

Once the Letter of Support and Program Information have been received, you will receive an email notifying you that your application is complete

Once a month (usually during the last week of the month), the ROR Application Review Committee reviews all completed applications. Each application is reviewed individually. A committee member may contact the applicant to clarify points of interest.

An email with updated information about your application's status is sent within one week after the Review Committee has reviewed the application. If your application does not demonstrate that you have secured the 75% minimum requirement of your Annual Book Commitment, this email will inform you that your clinic/practice will be placed on the waiting list. If your application demonstrates that you have at least 75% of your ABC, this email will inform you that your clinic is becoming an official ROR Program.

Medical Providers must receive official ROR training before implementing ROR. Each provider's training must be documented on http://www.myROR.org.

A. Welcome Kit Sent

Approximately four to six weeks after a Program has been notified that it has been approved to become an official ROR Program, it will receive an ROR Welcome Kit, which includes medical provider training information and materials, posters, bookmarks, and an ROR/Scholastic Book Catalog.

B. Scholastic's Pre-Paid Account

Each ROR Program receives an ROR/Scholastic pre-paid account in which you can deposit funds for purchasing Scholastic books for your ROR Program. When you receive notification that your application has been approved, you will receive your Scholastic Account Number and additional information about how to take advantage of this helpful resource.

C. Selecting High-Quality, Low Cost Books

Reach Out and Read partners with numerous publishers and distributors to offer ROR Programs resources and special offers for deeply discounted children's books and collections. Once approved, Programs are able to visit the ROR website and view the most current offers from ROR-approved vendors.

Contact the ROR National Center by calling 617-455-0631 or emailing startup@reachoutandread.org. You may also click here to determine if you may be affiliated with an ROR Coalition which also provides technical support throughout the startup process.