Parents are taught about early literacy activities and encouraged to read regularly to their children. Trainings are offered at teen parent classes, substance abuse programs, WIC food centers, domestic violence homes and other social service agencies. A collection of 25 age-appropriate books is also loaned to each site. Out and Read program turns pediatricians and nurses into literacy advocates. While You Wait Thanks to this simple service, places where parents and their children wait for medical or social services are well-stocked with children's books in English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese.
Volunteers refresh and exchange the collections once a month.
Sites include county medical and dental facilities, jails and social service offices. The collection contains 125 different theme bags in English and Spanish. Each bag includes three to five picture books, a related activity such as a toy, puzzle or flannel story and a curriculum guide. The curriculum is written so that even a beginning teacher can effectively use the materials. Resources for Educators ECR has created two videos and a rhyme book to help educators encourage early literacy skills.