Kari KurjiakaAugust 04, 2026
Elmsford, N.Y. — Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) welcomed New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky to Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford to meet with pediatricians and clinic staff and learn how the Reach Out and Read program is helping families build the foundations for lifelong learning through pediatric care.
Assemblymember Shimsky recently secured $67,140 in New York State funding to expand Reach Out and Read programming in communities throughout her district. The investment will support the growth of Reach Out and Read at pediatric practices, ensuring more young children receive books during well-child visits and that parents and caregivers receive guidance from their child’s healthcare provider on the importance of reading aloud together from birth.
During the visit, Assemblymember Shimsky met with Montefiore Einstein physicians and staff, learned about the Reach Out and Read model, and observed how pediatric providers incorporate books and literacy guidance into routine well-child visits to promote healthy brain development, language acquisition, and school readiness.
“Reach Out and Read does more than put books into children’s hands—it strengthens the bond between parents and children, and between families and their healthcare providers,” said Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky. “It’s a simple, proven program that delivers a host of benefits for early childhood development and for public health. I was proud to secure funding for Reach Out and Read in my district and hope to see it expand across New York State, giving more young children the opportunity to build their literacy skills while developing positive associations with visits to the doctor’s office.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Assemblymember Shimsky’s leadership and commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Emily Marchese, Executive Director at Reach Out and Read of Greater New York. “Her investment recognizes that early literacy is a powerful tool for improving educational outcomes, strengthening families, and supporting healthy child development. This funding will allow us to expand our reach and serve more children throughout Assembly District 92.”
Reach Out and Read is a national, evidence-based early literacy program that leverages the trusted relationship between healthcare providers and families to support children’s healthy development. During every well-child visit from 6 months through age 5, participating clinicians provide children with a new, developmentally appropriate book and offer parents and caregivers age-appropriate guidance on reading aloud and other activities that foster language-rich interactions at home.
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York partners with more than 340 pediatric practices across New York State, serving more than 300,000 children annually and distributing nearly 400,000 books each year. Research has shown that children participating in Reach Out and Read demonstrate improved language development, larger vocabularies, and stronger readiness for kindergarten.
Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care is a healthcare practice bringing this proven model to families in Westchester County, making books and shared reading an integral part of pediatric care. MEAC Westchester, one of Montefiore’s largest outpatient facilities, is a research-driven care center that brings highly specialized teams under singular clinics to ensure people get personalized treatment plans for primary and complex care needs.
“Reading a book with parents and other caregivers is a fundamental part of a child’s early learning and development,” said Dr. Shamiza A. Ally, a pediatrician at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “When we’re sharing books with families during our well-visits, we’re picking up on potential issues with literacy, speech and eye health. I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Reach Out and Read for more than 25 years. Through this wonderful program, books are not only a tool for doctors—they also act as the glue for how we’ve seen parents and children bond together and thrive.”
About Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York partners with pediatric healthcare providers across New York State to integrate early literacy into routine pediatric care. By providing books and modeling the importance of reading aloud during well-child visits, the organization helps families build nurturing relationships, promotes healthy brain development, and prepares children to enter school ready to learn. Reach Out and Read of Greater New York currently serves more than 300,000 children annually through a network of over 340 healthcare sites statewide.
Media Contact
Kari Kurjiaka
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
646-893-7333
kkurjiaka@reachoutandreadnyc.org
