Reach Out and Read and Developmental Screening: Using Federal Dollars through a Health Services Initiative

Abstract

Oklahoma established the first health services initiative (HSI) to expand Reach Out and Read (ROR), increase developmental screening and improve the quality of well-child visits (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT)). ROR uses a book in the exam room to assess development and parent-child interaction, however, little is known about the relationship between this training and using a formal developmental screening tool. The purpose of this study is to see if using federal funding would facilitate ROR expansion and if this expansion would improve developmental screening and EPSDT visits in Oklahoma. Medicaid billing data for state fiscal year (SFY) 2018 and 2019 were analyzed. Standard statistical methods were used to analyze the data descriptively to determine the proportion of developmental screenings performed and EPSDT visits. Comparisons were made between ROR and non-ROR sites. Nine new ROR sites were added with 26 new providers/staff and 130 providers/staff at existing sites trained in ROR from Novenber 2018 to June 2019. In SFY 2018, the developmental screening percentage at non-ROR sites was 33% vs 47% at ROR sites (p<0.0001), in SFY 2019 non-ROR sites were 36% vs 48% at ROR sites (p<0.0001). The EPSDT visit percentage in SFY 2018 was 50% at non-ROR sites vs 69% at ROR sites and in SFY 2019 was 51% at non-ROR sites vs 72% at ROR sites. HSIs are an effective way to fund ROR. Additional funding allowed for increased ROR sites and training. ROR sites are more likely to perform developmental screenings and EPSDT visits.

Pediatric Literacy Outreach During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Orleans, Louisiana

“…While the health and educational benefits of expanding public funding for programs like Reach Out and Read has been clearly demonstrated in states like Oklahoma, many clinics that serve underserved children in other states are still underresourced when it comes to literacy materials. 15 Although this is a single-center case study and many libraries may not have the same resources the New Orleans Public Library was able to provide, forming partnerships with local public libraries and pediatric clinics could be one potential way of providing free age-appropriate reading materials for children and families. For clinics unfamiliar with existing literacy promotion programs or unable to budget for reading materials, networking with local libraries may encourage more providers to get involved with literacy promotion on a more regular basis.…”