JOB DESCRIPTION
July 2020
TITLE: Statewide Coordinator, Reach Out and Read-Alabama
REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Alabama Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics (AL-AAP)
About AL-AAP: A non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ALAAP) is the only statewide member organization of pediatricians, with 850 members representing both academic and community pediatrics in both urban and rural areas. The organization was established in the 1930s and existed for almost five decades before becoming exempt as a 501 (c) 3 in December 1986 and adding executive staff in 1991. Governed by a 13-member board, the AL-AAP established a statewide Reach Out and Read coalition in 2006 as an arm to promote early literacy in pediatric practice. The AL-AAP executive office is in Montgomery.
About Reach Out and Read: Founded in 1989, Reach Out and Read is a national non-profit organization/program that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. Reach Out and Read’s national network of trained pediatric providers use books as a diagnostic tool during regular check-ups, and teach parents how to engage their child with a book to promote positive parent-child interactions during the rapid brain growth between birth and age five, particularly in economically disadvantaged families who are at risk for adverse outcomes. The only national early literacy intervention delivered through pediatric care providers, the program has been the subject of 16 independent studies, the largest body of scientific research for any psychosocial intervention in pediatrics. Research shows that children served by Reach Out and Read are read to more often, enjoy sharing books more, and have better expressive and receptive language skills.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Reach Out and Read-Alabama Statewide Coordinator (SC) plans, implements, and leads the fundraising, outreach, technical assistance, provider training, and community relations initiatives of Reach Out and Read-Alabama, which is Alabama’s affiliate of Reach Out and Read pediatric office sites. The SC will lead the continued development of this well-established program.
A results-oriented, experienced, and entrepreneurial professional, the SC is the face of Reach Out and Read across the state, with a targeted primary focus on ensuring that this national model is implemented with impact on the families and children served, and on fundraising/grant-writing for sustainability and program growth.
The Statewide Coordinator has a unique opportunity to help shape the future direction of Reach Out and Read-Alabama with the guidance of the AL-AAP Board, ROR-AL Medical Director and, if/once established, the ROR-AL
Advisory/Partnership Council.
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