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Houston 29th District Congressman Gene Green Reads to Children at Texas Children's Pediatric Practice

Health care proponent Green promotes early literacy during his visit to pediatric practice that provides affordable health care to medically underserved children.

HOUSTON – (June 22, 2009) – Houston 29^th District Congressman Gene Green recently visited TCPA – AAMA, a Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates practice that provides affordable care for children from medically underserved families to show his support of the Reach Out and Read program. During his visit on May 27, Congressman Green read short stories to a group of children and talked with the practice’s doctors and nurses, who are trained in the developmental strategies of early literacy.  Congressman Green also toured the practice, located at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA).  

 Reach Out and Read is a national program that promotes early literacy as a standard part of pediatric primary care and trains doctors and nurses on how to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud.  The partnership with Reach Out and Read allows TCPA practices to provide new books to children during pediatric wellness visits from 6 months to 5 years of age. Texas Children’s Hospital Reach Out and Read sites distribute approximately 2,000 books every month. The program has a special focus on children growing up in low-income households, and builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers. This helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading.

 “Texas Children’s is committed to building a strong and healthy community of children, which, in addition to our pediatric primary care services, includes offering innovative programs that contribute to the total well being of the child,” said Kay Tittle, president of TCPA. “Our partnership with Reach Out and Read helps children to develop literacy skills, prepares them for entering school and aids them in fostering a higher level of self confidence.”

 TCPA-AAMA is one of five Texas Children’s Project Medical Home practices that has implemented the Reach Out and Read program. Project Medical Home is a Texas Children’s program that provides convenient, affordable access to top quality primary pediatric health care services for children in medically underserved areas of Houston, regardless of their ability to pay. 

 About Texas Children’s Project Medical Home
Founded in 1999 by Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates, Project Medical Homes serve 12 of Houston’s most medically underserved zip codes and offer a full range of services including sick-child visits, immunizations and physicals, plus support programs such as family wellness education and literacy coaching. An on-site licensed social worker assists families in identifying and applying for financial and medical aid and connects them with other vital community resources. Project Medical Home provides relationship-oriented care from bilingual, compassionate, board-certified pediatricians and social workers. To accommodate the children who need its services most, Project Medical Home offers extended evening and weekend hours, affordable and flexible payment plans, confidentiality, and an after-hours help line.  Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates operates four additional Project Medical Homes in the Houston community: TCPA-Corinthian Pointe at 5505 West Orem Drive; TCPA - Gulfton at 5900 Chimney Rock; TCPA - Ripley House at 4410 Navigation Blvd.; and TCPA - Cullen at 5751 Blythewood. For more information, visit the Texas Children’s website at visit www.texaschildrenspediatrics.org.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top ten best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 Billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a Neurological Research Institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org.