Pediatricians and nutrition advocates urge lawmakers to protect Reach Out and Read and fund universal breakfast
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Summary
Connecticut pediatricians and nutrition advocates told the Appropriations subcommittee that cutting Reach Out and Read or universal school breakfast would hurt early literacy and child health; they urged the legislature to maintain or increase funding.
A panel of pediatricians and child-health advocates told the Appropriations education subcommittee that proposed cuts to early-literacy programs and school-meal funding would be harmful to children's development and learning.
Dr. Katie Sweck, speaking for the Connecticut chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposed elimination of funding for Reach Out and Read and described the program as evidence-based for early language development and caregiver-child interactions. "Supporting Reach Out and Read is one of the best investments in Connecticut's children," she told the committee. The panel said Reach Out and Read reaches tens of thousands of children and is embedded in pediatric well-child visits across the state.
Nutrition advocates and school nutrition directors also urged the committee to fund universal free breakfast (and eliminate fees for students who currently pay reduced prices). Food-service professionals described how universal provision increases participation, reduces stigma and improves federal reimbursement rates that in turn support better menus and operations. "When universal free school breakfast was removed, breakfast participation in districts dropped substantially," testified a school-food director.
What happened next: The committee heard testimony only. Pediatricians and food-service directors asked lawmakers to protect the proposed lines for universal breakfast and to restore lines that would fund Reach Out and Read.
Next step: Appropriations staff will consider those requests when drafting budget language; advocates urged prompt appropriation to maintain program continuity.
