Lucas County Commissioners

Picture of Commissioners

Tina Skeldon Wozniak, President
Pete Gerken
Ben Konop


Reach Out And Read ®

Child reaching for book

Lucas County Department of Job & Family Services Partners with the University of Toledo Medical Center the Medical University of Ohio to provide the Reach out and Read ® program at LCJFS. The Reach out and Read ® program is a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by giving out new books to children that are culturally and age appropriate. This program helps to improve literacy and strengthen the bond that reading creates between parents/caregivers and children with a special focus on children growing up in poverty. Studies have shown an association between ROR intervention and significant improvements in preschool language scores, which is a good predictor for later school success. Families with children between the ages of six months through twelve years, who receive benefits from LCJFS, leave their appointments with a book in hand for each child in their family. The program was launched in 2004.

Bilingual books are also available for non-English speaking children. The distribution of books are to help develop the link of literacy and healthy childhood.

Lucas County Job & Family Services