Family Health continues as Reach Out and Read participant 07.15.25

July 15, 2025

Family Health continues as Reach Out and Read participant

MOBILE, Ala. – Family Health is celebrating 17 years as a Reach Out and Read-Alabama (ROAR) participant. In 2025, ROAR is encouraging families to unplug, tune in, and have fun with “Baby Unplugged: PLAY!” by John Hutton, M.D.

From books and blocks to pets and boxes — a perfect way to spend an afternoon — “Baby Unplugged: PLAY!” celebrates classic childhood experiences and icons, where education is a natural byproduct of a child’s desire to play, explore, and connect — no screens, batteries, or Wi-Fi required!

Family Health, the primary care division of the Mobile County Health Department, has scheduled several Reach Out and Read events. During these days, children aged 6 months to 5 years who are scheduled for well-child visits or sick visits will be given a goodie bag with treats, along with the actual book.

Today’s event took place in the Pediatric Waiting Room at the Keeler Memorial Building. The room recently received a full-scale wall mural painting designed to engage the eyes and minds of children. The space has been named the “Imaginarium Aquarium” because of the massive and stylized fish that come to life with bold colors and whimsical brush strokes.
For the ROAR event, the room was filled with toys and coloring books. Lori Stevens, a social worker, read “Baby Unplugged: PLAY!” to those in attendance.

Family Health’s first ROAR event took place last week at the Eight Mile Health Center. Others are planned for July 24 at Semmes Health Center and July 25 at Citronelle Health Center.

Over the years, starting with the newborn well-child visit, medical providers have given children books while helping families understand the importance of reading aloud with their child and the impact of the everyday moments they share. This is one of the single-most important actions families can take to support the critical development of their child’s brain and to develop safe, stable, and nurturing relationships that last a lifetime.