Reading Partnership Established to Assist Young Families and New Parents

Read to Grow and United Way of Connecticut 211 have announced a new partnership that strengthens support for families during pregnancy and beyond. Starting this fall, prenatal callers to 211 Child Development are now connected to Read to Grow’s early literacy resources, making it easier than ever for families to access free books and language development support from the very beginning of their child’s life.

Through this collaboration, expecting parents who reach out to 211 Child Development for support and resources during this transformative time in their lives can learn about Read to Grow’s free literacy programs. They are also able to enroll over the phone to begin receiving books mailed directly to their homes, according to officials.

 “This new connection ensures that families across Connecticut are supported at one of the most important moments in a child’s development: the prenatal stage. Research shows that early exposure to books and language has a lasting impact on brain development, school readiness and future reading success,” United Way pointed out in a news release.

 “Being connected to support early in a child’s life can make all the difference,” said Read to Grow Executive Director Suzannah Holsenbeck. “This partnership ensures that families hear the message that reading matters—from the very beginning. When a parent is told they can start reading to their baby, even during pregnancy, it’s empowering. We’re proud to work with 211 CT to make sure more families get that encouragement and access to free books early on.”

"Our mission is to help the people of Connecticut thrive through innovative approaches and dynamic partnerships. Our 211 Child Development team is thrilled to partner with Read to Grow to promote and nurture children’s healthy growth and development. This unique, vital and free literacy program is an important new resource to support parents and young children across our state," noted Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building stronger, more equitable systems that meet families where they are—early, easily and with compassion.

Read to Grow is a literacy nonprofit that operates statewide, providing more than 120,000 books a year to children and families through our three programs: Books for Babies, Books for Kids, and the Bookmobile. Supporting parents as their child’s first and most important teacher, Read to Grow is committed to the power of literacy to change lives and to the vision that all children deserve books of their own. www.readtogrow.org

211 Child Development mobilizes families to support their children’s healthy growth and development. They provide guidance, information and innovative services to help parents understand and meet their children's individual developmental needs, starting from pregnancy.  Learn more at cdi.211ct.org or call 1-800-505-7000 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.