Raising A Reader retains Environics Communications as first national public relations agency

Washington, March 1, 2010 – Raising A Reader, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the reading readiness skills of children from birth to age five, has retained Environics Communications as the organization's first-ever national public relations agency.

Nearly half of all U.S. children entering kindergarten lack the early reading skills needed for success in school. Raising A Reader's mission is to engage parents in a routine of daily "book cuddling" with their children to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills critical for school success.

Since its inception in 1999, Raising A Reader has reached more than 700,000 children through its affiliations with local organizations such as United Way, Head Start, public libraries, home visiting programs and early learning programs in school districts.

Environics is providing a range of public relations services to Raising A Reader, including strategic messaging, collateral materials and Web content development, speaking opportunities, and national print, broadcast and online media outreach.

"Raising A Reader provides a demonstrated, scalable and cost-effective early literacy program for communities that want to invest in the educational success of their youngest children," said Gabrielle Miller, national executive director of Raising A Reader. "We are pleased to have Environics assist us in raising awareness of our program among parents, educators, affiliates, and community leaders nationwide and help us expand to reach one million children and families."

"Developing strong literacy skills and a love for reading early in life is critical to the education process and the long-term success of our nation's children," said Dave Groobert, general manager of Environics' U.S. operations. "We're pleased to help Raising A Reader get the word out about their successful and important program."

About Raising A Reader

Raising A Reader is a nonprofit organization offering local agencies an evidence-based early literacy and parent engagement program that has demonstrated to improve the reading readiness skills of children from birth to age five. With nearly half of all U.S. children entering kindergarten lacking the early reading skills needed for success in school, Raising A Reader has set a long-term goal or reaching one million children and families. The organization currently serves 110,000 children through its 2,500 affiliate sites across the country, and since its founding has reached more than 700,000 children working with organizations such as United Way, Head Start, home visiting programs and school districts. For more information about Raising A Reader, please visit raisingareader.org.