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Promoting good health and a good mind is what Karen Tomky, FNP, of Centennial Family Health Center and Ronda Knowlton as the Crowley County Health nurse are doing all with the help of the Reach Out and Read Program.
And because of their commitment, Crowley County was awarded the “Bookend County” award. Crowley County is the second county in the nation to receive the “Bookend County” award.
The Reach Out and Read Program originated in Boston 24 years ago and Colorado joined in 15 years ago.
The program is designed for health care providers across the nation and allows them to give out free books to every patient under the age of 5.
It is estimated in the state of Colorado approximately 143,000 books from Scholastic are given out each year.
As most of the public knows, taking a child to the doctor can be very stressful for both parent and patient. Health care providers who participate in the program are finding that giving out books serves a dual purpose — it relaxes the patient and promotes early reading.
“When we started this program we were thrilled,” said Tomky.
Present on Wednesday to present the award was Megan Wilson, executive director of the Reach Out and Read program.
Wilson presented bookends to Crowley County Commissioners Gary Gibson, Frank Grant and intern Brandy DeLange. Wilson also gave awards to Tomky and Knowlton for earning Crowley County the honor.
Also making a presentation was Gloria Gutierrez from Sen. Mark Udall’s office. Gutierrez read a letter from the senator, praising Crowley County for their efforts and accomplishment.
Kids Campus pre-school children were also in attendance. They were treated to a story read by Commissioner Grant as well as each receiving a book from Wilson.
Promoting good health and a good mind is what Karen Tomky, FNP, of Centennial Family Health Center and Ronda Knowlton as the Crowley County Health nurse are doing all with the help of the Reach Out and Read Program.
And because of their commitment, Crowley County was awarded the “Bookend County” award. Crowley County is the second county in the nation to receive the “Bookend County” award.
The Reach Out and Read Program originated in Boston 24 years ago and Colorado joined in 15 years ago.
The program is designed for health care providers across the nation and allows them to give out free books to every patient under the age of 5.
It is estimated in the state of Colorado approximately 143,000 books from Scholastic are given out each year.
As most of the public knows, taking a child to the doctor can be very stressful for both parent and patient. Health care providers who participate in the program are finding that giving out books serves a dual purpose — it relaxes the patient and promotes early reading.
“When we started this program we were thrilled,” said Tomky.
Present on Wednesday to present the award was Megan Wilson, executive director of the Reach Out and Read program.
Wilson presented bookends to Crowley County Commissioners Gary Gibson, Frank Grant and intern Brandy DeLange. Wilson also gave awards to Tomky and Knowlton for earning Crowley County the honor.
Also making a presentation was Gloria Gutierrez from Sen. Mark Udall’s office. Gutierrez read a letter from the senator, praising Crowley County for their efforts and accomplishment.
Kids Campus pre-school children were also in attendance. They were treated to a story read by Commissioner Grant as well as each receiving a book from Wilson.
