State funds helped maintain Read Aloud America program

Question: Whatever happened to Read Aloud America, one of dozens of social service programs that suffered funding cuts last year due to the state’s economic woes?

Answer: Lawmakers appropriated about $450,000 to Read Aloud America last legislative session to help the organization to continue the program at schools. The contract was signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Aug. 8 and is awaiting approval by the Attorney General’s Office. The state Department of Health, which will administer funds to the nonprofit organization, anticipates approval in the next week or so, according to spokeswoman Janice Okubo.

Jed Gaines, president and founder of Read Aloud, thanked Abercrombie and several lawmakers for supporting the program, which promotes reading and the importance of parents and guardians reading with their children at home.

"We are grateful for the funding," Gaines said.

The nonprofit organization holds read-aloud programs at schools, libraries, bookstores and community events.

Read Aloud America was to hold its first program of the semester today at Fern Elementary School in Kalihi. The organization also will hold the program at Hono­wai Elementary School, Makaha Elementary School, Puka­lani Elementary School on Maui and Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School on Hawaii island this semester. Gaines said the program will probably be held at three additional schools next semester.

If the organization had not received state funds, he said, Read Aloud would have probably held its program at one or two schools for the 2012-2013 calendar year.

Ninety-five percent of Read Aloud’s budget came from the state before cuts last year. Funding was cut for Read Aloud and dozens of other social service programs supported by the Department of Human Services under its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Cuts were made as the state prioritized the money for needy families through direct cash assistance. Prioritizing funding was necessary as the number of families at poverty level increased to 30 percent in the down economy.

When the cuts occurred, the number of Read Aloud schools dropped to six from 24.

Gaines said the organization is building a sustainable operation with donations from various private entities that include $20,000 from the Hawaii Medical Service Association and $50,000 from General Atlantic Corp.

"We’re just not going to be dependent on the state," he said.

For more information on Read Aloud America, go to www.readaloudamerica.org.

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This update was written by Rosemarie Bernardo. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To…” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.