Public Health Management Corporation to help bring 5th Annual Jumpstart’s Read for the Record to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – (October 4, 2010). Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) today announced its participation in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record™ on October 7, 2010—the official date of the nation-wide campaign to set a new world record for the largest shared reading experience on a single day.

The Management Services component of PHMC will join with Jumpstart to read “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats to more than 2.5 million children that day. Approximately 75 family, group and childcare centers participating in Keystone STARS and Out of School Time sites in Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties will participate.

PA Representative Tony J. Payton, Jr. of the 179th Legislative District and PA Representative Louise Williams Bishop of the 192nd Legislative District will join other political and business leaders, athletes and celebrities as guest readers to the young children. In the process, PHMC intends to help draw attention to the importance of incorporating literacy opportunities into quality childcare and out-of-school time programs. Today half of children from low-income neighborhoods start school one to two years behind their peers. When these children start behind, they stay behind.

“Through the SERK and other family programs, PHMC helps to ensure that children are prepared for kindergarten and able to attain 21^st century learning skills as they progress in school,” said Amy Friedlander, PHMC’s vice president of management services and special initiatives. “Early childhood education initiatives such as SERK prepare children for educational success, which ultimately leads to life success.”

Presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record brings individuals together to show how early childhood education can be immediately improved. Last year, more than 2,000,000 children and adults helped set the current world record by taking part in one-day local events across the country. In the process, participants help spread the word that reading and engaging with children before they enter kindergarten can improve their chances of graduating from high school by as much as 30%.

Now in its fifth year, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record also celebrates the opening of Jumpstart’s school year that helps prepare preschool children in low-income neighborhoods for success in kindergarten and life. Jumpstart’ connects children in need with trained adults who work with them year-round to ensure they enter school ready to succeed.

In partnership with Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation, PHMC supports early education and literacy development and encourages the entire community to participate in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record on October 7, 2010. Anyone can do so by pledging to read at www.readfortherecord.org. The Snowy Day can be read online at www.wegivebooks.org. Learn more at www.readfortherecord.org.