Keltner Joins RIF Advisory Council

On Tuesday, June 12, NHS Dean Bette Keltner attended the launch of the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Multicultural Literacy Campaign at the National Press Club.

Keltner, along with other national experts, will serve on an advisory council to guide the efforts of the new campaign.

The campaign will promote and support early childhood literacy in African-American, Hispanic, and Native American communities.

"Parents have tremendous impact on how well their children develop language skills in the first five years of life," said Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of RIF. "The RIF Multicultural Literacy Campaign reinforces this message and offers parents and caregivers new resources to help them get their children prepared for success with reading and in school," she said.

Keltner, a member of the Cherokee nation, specializes in children with disabilities, maternal health, healthy equity, and health among Native American communities. Founded in 1966, RIF motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.

RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age eight. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.