First Book and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Register with First Book and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Welcome! First Book and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) have teamed up to be your partner in creating opportunities for the children you serve.
Register below with First Book to get started right now, and be sure to indicate your affiliation with FAO to stay informed about book grants and special opportunities. If you have questions or need assistance, contact First Book at 866-READ-NOW or help@firstbook.org. Joining First Book is always free!
Click here to register with First Book and FAO*
Not sure if your school or program is eligible? Check here!
*Registering through the link or button above will also share your information with FAO. Through FAO, you will learn about additional grant awards and resources FAO develops in the future, and have access to resources available exclusively to those who are a part of the First Book and FAO partnership.
If you would prefer to share your information only with First Book, please register here: firstbook.org/join
The right resources can help Appalachian kids learn despite trauma
In an effort to lift up the findings from our in-depth research of educators and care providers in Appalachian Ohio, read a recent Columbus Dispatch article by Cara Dingus Brook, President and CEO of FAO, which beautifully underscores the urgency of our continued work together to support the educators, children, and families in the region.
First Book & Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO): Identifying Educational Barriers & Solutions Study
Appalachia has experience in trauma and resiliency that can guide our nation. As ground zero for our nation’s other health crisis, the opioid epidemic, Appalachia’s overdose mortality rate is 46% higher than the national average. Behind this statistic is an outsized number of children caught in situations of chronic stress. When these children enter the classroom, their trauma comes too frequently as an invisible barrier to learning. Our recent study, “Educational Barriers and Solutions,” sought the perspective of Appalachian educators to better understand the type of support educators need in order to help children who are experiencing trauma.
Creating Opportunities for Appalachian Ohio
First Book and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio are partnering to grow resources for today’s citizens of Appalachian Ohio, and for generations to come. It starts by registering with First Book and FAO today.
With generous funding support from the American Electric Power Foundation, the AEP Ohio Foundation, and the Ohio Oil & Gas Association; the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and First Book will help support the region by:
- Connecting educators and providers across Appalachian Ohio to First Book – to provide sustainable access to free and low-cost books and resources
- Sharing valuable resources designed to help educators and care providers better understand and support children suffering from trauma and dealing with other relevant issues: Download First Book’s Trauma Toolkit here.
- Hosting in-person community town hall meetings with key community thought leaders and stakeholders to identify and better understand what educators need to best support the children you serve in Appalachian Ohio. Read more about our town hall meetings and what we have accomplished together here.
- Designing resources to support educators and the children of Appalachian Ohio through education
