Kari KurjiakaApril 21, 2026
NEW YORK, NY — April 21, 2026 — Reach Out and Read of Greater New York is proud to announce that the latest research into the population-level impact of integrated early literacy programs has been selected for an oral presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, held in Boston, MA. PAS is attended by thousands of leaders in pediatric clinical care, research, and policy from across the world each year.
The abstract, titled “Population-level integration of early literacy programs across health care and community settings: Evidence for reach and impact,” was chosen from thousands of submissions for its innovative approach to Early Relational Health (ERH). The study highlights the success of City’s First Readers (CFR), a New York City council-funded initiative led by Literacy in Community (LINC) that unites healthcare programs like Reach Out and Read and PlayReadVIP with community, library, and education partners.
Bridging the Gap Between Clinic and Community
The research demonstrates that when pediatric literacy programs are integrated across systems, they create a “scalable public health model” that significantly boosts family engagement. Major, statistically significant findings from the study include:
- Large Impacts for Parents and Children:
- More children’s books in the home.
- More reading aloud in the home.
- More interactive reading, with gains of more than 20% in key behaviors like pointing to pictures and asking questions.
- More knowledge and confidence in reading.
- Massive Scale: CFR partners reach hundreds of thousands of children and families every year through a scalable cross-sector ecosystem.
“Findings demonstrate the power of supporting early literacy everywhere that families with young children go,” said Alan L. Mendelsohn, MD, Co-Author and Professor of Pediatrics at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and NYC Health+Hospitals/Bellevue. “By linking pediatric check-ups with community resources through this incredibly innovative model, we aren’t just giving out books – we are fundamentally strengthening the bonds between parents and children across . CFR is leveling the playing field for families across New York City, helping all children thrive in school and across their entire lives.”
Dr. Leora Mogilner, Co-Author and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the unique role of the healthcare setting in this ecosystem. “The pediatric exam room is an important opportunity to reach families during the most critical windows of brain development,” said Dr. Mogilner. “By embedding literacy guidance into the clinical visit, we meet families where they already are. This research shows that when we bridge that clinical encounter with community-wide support, we create a safety net that empowers every parent to be their child’s first and best teacher.”
A Collaborative Effort
The research was completed as part of the City’s First Readers (CFR) coalition, showcasing the collective strength of NYC’s literacy advocates. The co-authors on this abstract represent a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to pediatric health and development:
- Jessica A. Lizzio, BS (Presenting Author)
- Caitlin F. Canfield, PhD
- Alan L. Mendelsohn, MD
- Emmanuel Novy, MA
- Cynthia O’Connor, BS, MPA
- Lauren Polvere, PhD
- Sandra L. McGinnis, PhD
- Leora Mogilner, MD
The presentation will take place during the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: Parenting session on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Boston Convention Center.
About Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. Serving New York City, Long Island, and the Greater Hudson Valley, Reach Out and Read of Greater New York partners with doctors to provide brand-new books and literacy counseling to over 250,000 children annually. Learn more at www.reachoutandreadnyc.org.
About City’s First Readers
City’s First Readers (CFR) is a coalition of non-profit organizations fostering early literacy development through a network of support for children ages 0-5. Funded by the New York City Council, CFR connects families to literacy resources in schools, libraries, clinics, and community centers. Learn more at www.citysfirstreaders.org.
Media Contact:
Kari Kurjiaka
Director of Literacy & Public Policy