Initially you need to identify a group of young parents and babies who would enjoy reading together. Potential groups include teen parents, non-English speaking families, abused or battered women, incarcerated parents, GED students and fathers.

Then, it is best to discuss and develop a collaboration with staff members: administrators, day care providers, librarians, social workers, teachers. It makes sense to have a special time per week to run the program, either during a scheduled class or during an after-school program. Then it's a question of connecting with the local public library and ordering books.

Exemplary Programs:

• Susan Barahal, Cambridge, MA art teacher, ran a successful READ TO ME Programs with her English teacher colleagues as an after-school program for teen mothers. She followed the basic structure of 6 sessions, found a small grant, and reported high enthusiasm from everyone concerned.
• Reach Out and Read uses the READING WITH BABIES DVD/VHS in a variety of ways: as gifts to newborns, in training for health care providers and in the waiting areas during clinic hours. For further information: www.reachoutandread.org
• CIRCLE from the University of Texas-Houston is using READING WITH BABIES DVD in its vital work to break the cycle of violence with families at risk. For further information, contact Cathy Guttentag, Cathy.Guttentag@uth.tmc.edu .