The Children's Council does not host General Council meetings in July and August. We will resume meetings in the fall.

Save the date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 - 10:00AM

Member Spotlight: Debra Lancaster

Debra Lancaster,

with Doug and Dasher

Debra joined the Children's Council in 2012 as the Exec Director of United Way of Skagit County. Although she and her husband, Doug, do not have children, she quickly became a TRUE believer in the value of quality early childhood experiences! With her support, United Way created an Early Learning Committee and began to devote a large share of their funds to not-for-profit organizations working with families of young children. She was a member of the Population Health Trust team that developed the First 1000 Days initiative. Following her retirement in 2020, Debra continued on the Council and the Board, currently serving as Membership Chair. She is a Commissioner with United General District 304 - a long-time goal for her. She worked with District 304 in 2012 to develop Youth United: Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV). Debra is also a Commissioner for the Housing Authority of Skagit County.

Debra and Doug love living in Skagit County and have cruised the Salish Sea for almost 40 years, first in sailboats and, for the last 10 years, as power boaters. She enjoys walking a couple of miles every day with her little Papillon, Dasher, as well as music - mostly soft jazz, although 47 years with Doug have taught her a great deal about classic rock!  The two also enjoy good food and tasty drinks.

Hospital District 304, Proposition 1

As many of you know, United General District 304 is the backbone organization of the Children's Council. We are one of the 50+ programs supported by District 304. If you live within our District boundaries, you will see Hospital District 304, Proposition 1 on your ballot this summer. See below to learn a bit about Prop 1.

Skagit Dads Connect

Launching this Fall!

Skagit Dads Connect is a free group at United General District 304 that meets over 13-weeks to focus on making relationships stronger for dads, their kids, and the whole family.

The program welcomes dads, stepdads, grandfathers, and other male caregivers in a parenting role who want to build their parenting skills and connect with other local dads & resources. This program is especially helpful for new dads, but open to fathers at any stage.

The first group will start this fall, but you don't have to wait to let us know you'd like to take part in this FREE program!

Meet the team!

Genaro (left) - Workshop Co-Facilitator, Jarrod (middle) - Dad Coach, and John (right) - Family Support Specialist & Workshop Facilitator

Help Me Grow Skagit Quarterly Report

April - June 2026

Below is a snapshot of the families supported through our Help Me Grow Skagit system. The Help Me Grow Washington 2025 Impact Report is now available in English and Spanish. Find out what is happening across the state to support families through the statewide Help Me Grow system.