On Saturday, November 2nd from 10am - 2pm, we are partnering with the Children's Museum's Full STEAM Ahead event to provide information about resources available to families with young children. In the past, we have called this our Family Palooza event, but for more clarity, it will be the Full STEAM Ahead event with the Help Me Grow Resource Fair! The design will be similar to what we have done in the past with table groupings of similar resources (library's together, WICs together, etc). There is no cost to table. Tables, chairs, and a black table cloth will be provided. REGISTER HERE! Questions, ask Liz Cooksey, the Newborn Outreach Nurse and the Children's Council's Family & Community Outreach Lead!

Play & Grow Baby Group

is continuing to grow!

Tuesdays at 11am

at Heartwood House

Download the flyer HERE.

Promoting Your Peer Support Group - Perinatal Support Washington

Date: Tuesday, September 24

Time: 9:30am-12:30pm PST

Cost: FREE

Location: Zoom

Presenter: Crystal Gurney

This training will help support group facilitators create a plan to promote their groups, connect with others in similar work, and cover topics like print materials, social media promotion, networking, best practices for promotion, and other engaging ideas to attract attendees.

10-week Perinatal Mental Health Series - Perinatal Support WA

Dates: Wednesdays:

October 9, 16, 23, 30

November 6, 13, 20, 27

December 4, 11, 2024

Time: 9am-10:30pm PST

Cost: $412 General Registration

$335 PS-WA Member

$206 Current PS-WA Volunteer

Location: Zoom

Open to all mental health practitioners, this 10-week series led by an experienced perinatal mental health specialist will cover various PMAD topics through training and case study discussions. Each 1.5-hour session will focus on a specific topic, incorporating knowledge and skills through reading and training.

Embracing Grief: Integrative Approaches for Addressing Perinatal

Date: Wednesday, October 16

Time: 9:30am-1:30pm PST

Cost: FREE

Location: Zoom

Presenter: Gabrielle Pendley, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C

During this 4-hour training for providers working with individuals in the perinatal period in WA state, Gabrielle Pendley, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C will address the profound impact of perinatal loss. We will focus on clinical approaches and treatment methods to honor and understand the experience, including different types of perinatal loss, occurrence rates, potential mood, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders, as well as therapeutic approaches and healing rituals. Our goal is to provide clinicians with tangible tools to support grieving parents.

Peer/Parent Support Training - Perinatal Support Washington

Date: Tuesday-Wednesday, November 19-20

Time: 9am-5pm PST

Cost: $275 General Registration

$225 PS-WA Member

Location: Zoom

Trainer: Crystal Gurney

In a two-day training suitable for various providers, learn how to identify, support, and care for parents with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Developed by Perinatal Support WA, the training is tailored for non-mental health providers and offers culturally respectful screening and evidence-based behavioral health support. Monthly follow-up consultation calls support ongoing learning and practice.

Registration extended! Cultivating Resilience: Tools to Thrive with Galen Emmanuele

Due to much excitement and requests, we have extended the registration for the Cultivating Resilience: Tools to Thrive event. Registration is now OPEN UNTIL Wednesday, September 11th! Looking for a fun and innovative way to improve your team's culture and approach? Then this event is made for you! Galen will show you how to improve and impact your communication through the improv concept of "Yes, And..." Don't miss out—register to grab a seat at this not-to-miss event! Registration is only $40, and lunch is included. See you there.

Power Partnerships 2024 - Skagit Population Health Trust

Join us in celebrating the role of collaboration in fostering a thriving Skagit community and acknowledging the recipients of the 2024 Skagit Change Maker Award and Skagit Community Champion Award for their noteworthy contributions. The event is free; however, you must register by September 19, 2024.

WIC 50th Anniversary Celebration! - September 13th

The Washington State WIC program is inviting individuals to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WIC program, a significant event that honors five decades of commitment to the health of women, infants, and children. The celebration will feature special guest speakers, an award ceremony for breastfeeding excellence, and opportunities to share WIC information and resources. This event is a recognition of the collective impact made on families' lives through the efforts of local WIC agencies.

Resource Navigator Event

Do you have clients with community resource like food, housing, healthcare, or financial assistance? Join Community Action and Skagit Public Health for a community resource navigator gather on September 26th from 1-4pm in Mount Vernon. Registration required.

Family, Friend & Neighbor Care Project - Washington Communities for Children

The FFN in WA project aims to gather data on Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) Care in Washington State to understand how policy and programs can better support FFN providers and families using this type of care. Mathematica, an independent research organization, is leading this project, and they are inviting FFN providers and families to participate in a brief online survey. Participants will receive $25 for completing the survey, and their privacy will be respected as their names will not be shared in any project reports or presentations.

Family First Prevention Regional Collaborative Forum and Townhall

The Collaborative Forums are six-hour, in-person public events where various stakeholders will participate in planning the new five-year Prevention Plan. The events will include discussions on the Family First Prevention Services Act, updates on the Washington Family First Prevention Plan implementation, and small group activities focused on developing the new plan. Additionally, local providers and national experts may also share their insights about implementing FFPSA across the country.

Child Care for WA

Opportunity Council and CCA of WA are working to support parents, providers, and business leaders who want to take an active role in educating Washington's leaders about the importance of a strong early learning system. Children rely on us to fully grow and develop, and we can't wait any longer to ensure that every child can access the high-quality care they deserve. It's critical that we act now to guarantee that every child has the opportunity to access high-quality care, which is pivotal for their comprehensive growth and development.

To address the child care crisis, Child Care for WA is focusing on two main objectives:

- Ensuring that the child care workforce receives fair living wages and benefits.

- Making child care both affordable and accessible to all families.

Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

The Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (IECMHC) partners with early childhood professionals, families, and teachers to promote children's social and emotional development and address mental/behavioral health challenges. They provide screening, resources, and referrals, offer individualized child/family consultation, and conduct training for early learning professionals. Additionally, they work to identify regional strengths, service gaps, and barriers and support changes in practices and policies to benefit children and families in early learning settings.