Healthcare providers, educators, and early childhood advocates gathered on the Epic campus in Verona, Wisconsin, on October 24, 2025, for the Reach Out and Read Wisconsin Annual Meeting. Under the theme "Where Literacy, Relationships, and Resilience Take Root," the day brought together a community of providers committed to transforming early childhood development through the power of relationships and literacy.

We were honored to have our director, Dr. Kate Rosenblum, deliver the opening keynote, "From Zero to Thrive! Connections are the Roots of Literacy and Early Relational Health."

A Keynote Rooted in Science and Heart

Dr. Rosenblum spoke on the science of early relational health and her presentation explored how early connections form the foundation for both literacy development and lifelong resilience.

Central to her keynote was the introduction of the Strong Roots™ Protective Factors, a framework that uses nature metaphor to highlight the critical role of relationships and community in helping children grow and thrive. As part of her presentation Dr. Rosenblum highlighted the Strong Roots Parent Café model, which creates supportive spaces where families gather for peer-led conversations. What makes these cafés distinctive is their foundation in parent empowerment. Trained parent hosts create space for small group discussions using carefully designed card decks that offer reflective question prompts aligned with the Strong Roots Protective Factors. These casual yet meaningful conversations help strengthen community bonds and foster peer-to-peer relationships.

Bringing Literacy Into the Conversation

A highlight of Dr. Rosenblum's presentation was the introduction of the Reading Roots “booster pack” card deck, a specialized addition to the Strong Roots Parent Café model. These card decks include questions that were thoughtfully co-developed by parents and providers to prompt reflection and discussion on how singing, talking, telling stories, and reading can strengthen protective factors, nurture relationships, and promote literacy. Currently being piloted in Wisconsin and Michigan, this card deck guides parents and caregivers in exploring ways they can use reading, singing, and telling stories with their infants and young children in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

The Reading Roots approach recognizes that literacy doesn't just happen during storytime, but in how parents weave in talking, stories, singing and reading throughout daily life, from grocery lists to bedtime routines to conversations around the dinner table. By centering family voice and experience, the card deck helps parents see themselves as their child's first and most important literacy teacher, and their relationship with their child as the foundation, or strong roots, that support all of their development.

Beyond the Keynote: A Day of Learning and Connection

In addition to her keynote address, Dr. Rosenblum led a breakout session on maternal mental health, returning by popular demand to guide participants through strategies for screening and supporting maternal mental health needs in pediatric primary care. Her session equipped providers with practical approaches to connect families with critical resources and ensure mothers receive the comprehensive care they deserve.

The day's agenda was rich with diverse learning opportunities. Sessions ranged from early autism intervention to funding strategies for sustaining Reach Out and Read programs across diverse health systems. Dr. Dipesh Navsaria and Tessa Michaelson Schmidt led a powerful session on using books as mirrors and windows to strengthen relationships and reflect diverse identities, while other sessions explored how pediatric clinics can serve as hubs for literacy and community engagement.

A Community Coming Together

Dr. Rosenblum shared that what made this annual meeting truly special was the palpable sense of community and shared purpose. Healthcare providers shared real-world successes, educators and librarians exchanged innovative approaches, and advocates connected across sectors, all united by a common belief that early literacy and strong relationships are fundamental to child wellbeing.

Looking Ahead

As Dr. Rosenblum reflected on this inspiring day, she reminded all of us at Zero to Thrive about why this work matters: connections truly are the roots from literacy and early relational health grow. When we invest in these relationships, we create the conditions for every child to thrive.

We're grateful to Reach Out and Read Wisconsin for creating this space for learning and collaboration, and to all the sponsors and attendees who made this gathering possible. We are certain that the insights and connections forged will continue to ripple outward, touching the lives of countless children and families across Wisconsin and beyond.