Steamboat Reading

Background Statement

Steamboat Reading began in 2017 as a partnership between two passionate educators who saw the impact on children and families when a child is struggling to learn foundational reading skills and the lack of additional support available in our county.

Soon after this partnership began, other members of the community joined the team. In 2023, our team has grown to include a program director and full-time learning specialist as well as nine part-time tutors trained and experienced in providing multisensory language-based reading instruction and an experienced math tutor. Our program director provides advocacy support for parents whose child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. In addition, the program director and an occupational therapist (when needed) provide learning evaluations to diagnose learning disabilities, like dyslexia. We offer comprehensive services for struggling readers.

Though the mission of the organization stayed the same, in January 2019, the business transitioned to a non-profit organization. This transition occurred to access funding to offer financial support for clients, develop stronger connections with other nonprofit organizations, and offer a more robust community education program.

As we grew and worked with more families and other professionals in the community, it was clear that there was also a need to educate our community about dyslexia. We began to provide information about dyslexia on our Facebook page and in our newsletters, and we host several informative events in October, which is Dyslexia Awareness Month. We also host a Parent Network Support Group where the discussion is often focused on dyslexia and other learning challenges.

Parents often asked how to support their young child's early literacy skills. This led to the creation of parent workshops that include easy-to-implement activities for parents to help children develop the literacy skills they need and learn about early signs of dyslexia. Research shows that early intervention makes a significant difference in a child's outcomes.

In just a few years, our organization transitioned and expanded from solely providing one-on-one intervention for students with reading difficulties to providing comprehensive services for a family with a child struggling with reading. In addition, we are also providing general education about dyslexia and early literacy skills.

We want every child in Routt County to learn to read.