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 presses on military families, including separation, deployment, injury, or even death of a parent, Reach Out and Read launched an initiative to bring the ROR 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, and quality health care and proven school readiness strategies are no exception. With support from the Department of Defense and its Office of Family Policy, Children and Youth, Reach Out and Read implemented its literacy program in 35 U.S. military healthcare facilities, laying the foundation for one day serving all military families with young children.

• 35 U.S. military bases currently participate in ROR.
• More than 90,000 children of military families participate in ROR annually.
• 180,000 new, developmentally-appropriate books are distributed to children on military bases annually.

Reach Out and Read presents a unique opportunity to support and strengthen military families with young children. ROR helps parents understand developmental stages, build routines which reassure children, and develop skills and knowledge that are essential for families being tested by separation and deployment.

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

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