A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Children's Home Society of Washington

Children's Home Society of Washington (CHSW) is utilizing funds offered through this grant to implement a statewide network of family support centers, early childhood programs, and school- linked services throughout Washington State. CHSW is well positioned to operate this program. It is the oldest and largest non-profit organization serving children and families statewide. It operates a number of family support centers and readiness-to-learn programs. It also works collaboratively with other community organizations to assure the delivery of early childhood services, e.g. Healthy Start home-visiting, Even Start, and early Head Start.

Several Washington communities will benefit from the resources provided by the Parent Assistance Program funds -- the City of Seattle and the Counties of King, Pierce, Douglas, Chelan, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These communities have significant numbers of low-income and minority populations. It is estimated that 60% of those served by the program will be from low-income families. CHSW will provide support for families through three key strategies:

1. Family Support Centers
   Family center development is a priority for CHSW due to the success of its North Seattle Family Center, which opened in 1991. Parental Assistance Center funds support this priority through development of basic and expanded centers. Basic centers are being established in Walla Walla, Spokane, Wenatchee, and Renton. These centers will provide core services to educate, assist, and support parents in improving their parenting skills, increasing their knowledge of child development, and developing stronger relationships with educators and professionals who provide services to their children. Centers will serve as a hub of activity while also offering off-site services, particularly in eastern Washington and other rural areas. Expanded centers are also being enhanced in Pierce County to assure the deliver of more intensive services, such as WIC clinics, ESL classes, and case management services.

2. School-Linked Services
   CHSW is involved in the Washington state Readiness to Learn initiative. As such, the agency provides school-linked services to meet the non-academic needs of students, to promote parents' involvement in their children's education, and to enable schools to focus more on academic goals. In several of the targeted communities, CHSW will either initiate or expand these school-linked services. Many of these services are provided in the home.

3. Early Childhood Programs
   With the support of this grant, early childhood services are being expanded in Walla Walla and initiated in Pierce County. A variety of models are being used, including Parents as Teachers, and services are being coordinated with other community-based agencies.

Collaborators:

• Seattle Public Schools
• Seattle Cities in Schools
• Seattle Housing Authority
• North Seattle Community College
• Spokane Public Schools
• Bethel Public Schools
• Peninsula Public Schools
• Tacoma Public Schools
• Pierce College
• Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department
• Key Peninsula Civic Center
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• Renton Public Schools
• Parents Anonymous
• Walla Walla Community College
• Eastmont Public Schools
• North Central ESD
• Wenatchee Public Schools
• Program for Early Parent Support

Director:
Marilyn Littlejohn
Children's Home Society of WA.
201 South 34th Street
Tacoma, WA 98408
Telephone: (206) 472-3355
Fax: (206) 475-8377
Award: $462,991
Affiliation: PAT

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