Yes.  Southwest Iowa Raise Me to Read is the original local campaign, and it has been in existence for over eight years.  When Metro-Omaha joined the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, it did so in partnership with the Council Bluffs.  In order to better serve our communities, we will continue to share the name and website, and will work together on such events as benefit both communities.  We are both members of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading.

In line with the national campaign, our focus is on the importance of PARENTS as the “secret sauce” for the future success of their children; EARLY LITERACY so that children are ready for school; READING BY 3RD GRADE which is a key indicator of future success and is the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”; ATTENDANCE, because student attendance is related to student success, and absences are a predictor of future difficulties; EXTENDED LEARNING due to the fact that over 80% of a child’s time is spent out of school and there is a need to ensure that all children have access to enriching activities and time to read.  The Campaing also has a focus on the needs of the FAMILY, recognizing that most school achievement issues stem from unresolved needs in the home (from mental/medical help to basic needs like housing and food). Metro-Omaha RMtR also believes EDUCATING the public about ACE’s is key, and that ENGAGING the public via information and conversation about the importance of daily interactions between children and their parents and other caring adults is essential.

Vroom is a website and application found at http://www.vroom.org .  Vroom believes “all parents want what’s best for their children. So we joined with scientists, researchers, and parents to take the science out of the lab and put it in the hands of caregivers. Vroom provides science-based tips and tools to inspire families to turn shared, everyday moments into Brain Building Moments®.”   Metro-Omaha RMtR recommends Vroom because it encourages parents and other caring adults to interact with children.  It is these interactions which build brain architecture.

“Research demonstrates that developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain. Furthermore, play supports the formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive.

Play is not frivolous: it enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function (ie, the process of learning, rather than the content), which allow us to pursue goals and ignore distractions.”   (Michael Yogman et.al)

No. Not yet.  Vision and planning has begun with the help of Stephen Osberg of Omaha’s Connect-Go initiative at the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Debora Wisneski of the University of Nebraska College of Health Education and Human Science (a nationally recognized expert in the benefits of play), and Metro-Omaha Raise Me to Read.  

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) are childhood experiences that harm children’s developing brains and lead to changing how they respond to stress and damaging their immune systems so profoundly that the effects show up decades later. ACEs cause much of our burden of chronic disease, most mental illness, and are at the root of most violence.

Adverse Childhood Experiences affect brain development, and so it is important that all in our community come to understand ACE’s.  Children who experience toxic stress caused by ACE’s often come to school not-ready to learn, and many have difficulty with self-regulation; therefore, ACE’s affect learning, social emotional well being, and achievement.

Metro-Omaha RMtR supports showings of the James Redford and KPJM Films documentary “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope”.   Contact KKnudsen@unomaha.edu for dates and registration information.

• Download Vroom and use with the little ones you know
• Be that “One Extra Person” — #BeTheOne  — for a baby, child, adolescent, young adult
• Read real books.  Model reading to others, read to and with babies and children
• Engage with babies, children and young adults in:  Play, Exploration (nature, neighborhood, any new-to-you place, animal, insect, stars, etc. . . .), Drawing, Singing & Dancing
• Explore the information on this website and share with others.
• Follow Metro-Omaha Raise Me to Read on Social Media and Blog
• Attend events held, such as virtual screenings of Resilience:  The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope
• Remind others of the importance of “showing up” — to work, to school, to church services, to ball practices.  Teach children how important attendance is.