The Vegas PBS Ready To Learn (RTL) project provides literacy and health based workshops to schools and families. Vegas PBS RTL focuses approximately 90% of its outreach efforts on Clark County School District (CCSD) Title I schools. New, free books are provided to participants through workshops to help maximize their educational impact.

During the 2008-2009 school year, Vegas PBS RTL provided over 50,000 new books to at-risk families, serving tens of thousands of children.  RTL staff also offered over 430 workshops during the past school year.  Vegas PBS provided more than a workshop a day, everyday, promoting good health and literacy.

Since good physical health helps children arrive at school “Ready To Learn,” Vegas PBS staff work to provide dental health resources to families in need. This project, initiated in October 2001 and dubbed Reading For Smiles, consists of family workshops featuring video clips, songs and hands-on activities. Children who participate in these workshops take home resource bags stuffed with new toothbrushes, dental flossers, an age-appropriate dental health book, and a variety of resource materials for parents. A large number of participating families speak only Spanish, therefore the RFS program makes every effort to have materials translated into their primary language.

In January 2007, RFS was presented the Outreach Community Impact Award by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). RFS was praised for its innovation and creativity, especially in serving Latino families.

Visit the Vegas PBS Ready To Learn website to learn more about the program.