Katie's Korner: A message from your PYC Coordinator | | |
Dear early childhood community partners,
Everything I'm hearing in the community spaces tells me you are all busier than ever. There seems to be a "February Hussle" affecting the greater community network. I have the privilege to view from a bit of an outside angle as you all are diving into your work, heart first. What I can tell you is that every single organization in this county is built with the strongest building blocks. The individuals that make up your service teams are talented, wise, knowledgeable and empathetic. Out of these pressures, I am seeing new opportunities spring to life via collaboration and ingenuity.
So many of you have jumped into projects with PYC and our network that I know strain your to-do lists. Even with budget cuts, staffing needs and a growing need for services, you jump in anyway. That is tenacity. That is gumption. And that has me excited to see what good trouble we can all get into in 2026.
In this newsletter, you will find ways to:
- RSVP to the next PYC Partner meeting and read February's meeting notes.
- Send in your 2025 PYC Impact Report data
- Advocate for early childhood services.
- Sign-up or share trainings for providers and families.
- Attend local connection events.
- Learn about community resources for vulnerable families.
Warmly,
Katie
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Partners for Young Children (PYC) is a coalition focused on improving the wellbeing of children and families in Island County.
Through PYC, Island County organizations and individuals come together to achieve the vision that all children thrive in nurturing relationships and healthy families. Together, partners are cultivating community action to strengthen Island County families.
| | Request for Member Data for PYC Impact Report - Now Due May 1st! | | We have moved our request for data until our spring quarterly meeting. Many thanks to those who have already sent their numbers in. We would like to pull together an Island County early learning family resource 2025 impact report to showcase all our early childhood resource community partners. All you need to do to participate is to email Katie with any of your end of your data reports for 2025. The parameters are up to you! Just send us your impact numbers and help us to tell the story of this incredible resource community. Please send data by May 1st! | | |
We have had a great response to our PYC membership agreements!
Check out our new member page on our website to see our amazing network of community resources!
| | Remember, it's not too late to fill out the Partners for Young Children Island County membership form and commit to our fabulous network. Don't forget to email your logo. Email Katie with any questions! | | PYC Has a Partner Blogspace!! | | |
Don't forget that PYC hosts a guest blog on our PYC website, where we encourage anyone who would like to get more visibility for their current needs to send us your stories. You can simply email to katiew@whidbeyfoundation.org and we will gladly get the word out! In the meantime, check out our existing blogs if you have not already. You can find it here.
| | February PYC Partners Shared Resources | | Have flyers, information or resources to share? Drop in our SharePoint folder! | | 2026 PYC Partner Meeting Dates & Notes! | | |
It was wonderful seeing everyone who was able to attend our February 10th meeting. If you were not able to be there, please find the meeting notes below. You will find all fliers and announcements shared in our SharePoint folder above. Don't hesitate to drop new materials in the folder at any time.
Don't forget to RSVP for our next meeting on Tuesday, May 12th at the link below! This meeting will have in-person and virtual meeting options. Location TBD.
| | Sign up for our new PYC Slack Channel! You'll find it under the (also new) Whidbey Community Foundation Slack. Ask questions, share resources, and interact in real-time with other early learning partners in our community! | | Last Month's PYC Programs Report | | PYC's Katie Watkins and Whidbey Community Foundation Program & Marketing Associate (and newborn bag assembly extraordinaire), Maureen Rice, building the first batch of newborn bags for 2026! | | Help Me Grow Island County Updates & Supports | |
Remember to check your listings for any of the following!
- Program language
- Service and contact info
- Agency contact
- Changes to listing categories and maps
Katie has new Help Me Grow rack cards with all our info! Email if you'd like some to hand out to your families.
You can also encourage your families to Call Help Me Grow at 1(800) 322-2588.
As always, you may send questions or updates directly to Katie at pyc@whidbeyfoundation.org.
Help Me Grow - Island County is a dependable and interconnected system that puts families first – making sure resources are accessible to every child and every community.
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Partners for Young Children Island County is thrilled to be able to offer this free service to our Island County families with children from birth to age 11. We are also include local messaging, sorted by zip code, on free or low-cost programs and events so you will never miss out!
Lantern tailors three to five weekly text messages to caregivers, providing evidence-based content on developmental milestones, brain growth, emotional health, nutrition, and resilience.
| | Does your organization have a community message to share with local parents? Submit your messages here and we will help get the word out! | | Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Whidbey Island | | |
Imagination Library of Whidbey Island—a local program partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, strives to send a new book every month to Whidbey Island children from birth to age five.
ILWA Legislative Update - SB 5961
Good news! Senate Bill 5961, which would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF over to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), by the Senate and is now in the Education committee of the House. You can also follow the Bill activity on the SB 5961 bill info page HERE. We now need you to contact your representatives and urge them to vote "YEA" (yes) on this bill once it is out of committee. Need help finding your representatives? Check here.
| The Imagination Library is also excited to announce the results of a global, comprehensive study of the program and its impacts on literacy worldwide. Check out the snapshot of impacts just in the U.S. below. | | For full results, click below. | | Katie has bookmarks and other outreach materials. Contact her here! | | Advocacy & Support Opportunities | | Child Care Aware Shares Child Care for Washington Partner Legislative Agenda | | Workshops, Trainings & Educational Events | | The Center for Child & Family Well-Being Offers Free Trainings for Early Learning Providers | | |
The Center for Child and Family Well-Being (CCFW) is offering a free training opportunity this spring for early learning providers and other professionals working with children and families.
Resilient Attitudes and Living for Professionals (REAL Pro) is a training program designed to promote the well-being and resilience of providers. This evidence-based program is grounded in strategies of mindfulness, self-compassion, cognitive-behavioral coping, and neuroscience. Training will run on Wednesdays for six weeks via Zoom, from April 8 to May 13. The time will be 12:00–1:30pm.
The CCFW also offers facilitation training for two parenting programs that support the well-being of infants, young children, and their parents. REAL Pro is the foundational training for those interested in completing SEACAP or New Parents Connect facilitation training. All three programs are grant-supported and free of charge to providers. STARS credits are also available through all three programs.
Register for REAL Pro here: https://forms.gle/fMQESdS7hTZbQDVg6
Please also see the attached flyer for Spring program details. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact Becca Calhoun at calhounb@uw.edu.
| | Postpartum Support International Offers Trainings for Professionals, Families & Community Supports | | |
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care
March 11-12, 2026 8:30 AM-5:00 PM PT | Virtual
Registration Deadline: February 25
This two-day course, taught by expert and engaging faculty, uses a thorough, evidence-based curriculum designed for psychiatrists, nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health providers, childbirth professionals, social support providers, and anyone interested in building skills for assessment and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. Your registration includes a training manual, handouts, and certification of continuing education credits.
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Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy
March 13, 2026 9:00 AM-4:30 PM PT | Virtual
Registration Deadline: February 25
This training features an evidence-based curriculum designed for mental health and psychotherapy providers who have previously completed at least fourteen hours of perinatal mental health training. This advanced training covers differential diagnosis, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, and advanced therapeutic issues. It combines expert presentation with case studies, group discussion, and practical examples of treatment approaches. This course or an equivalent six-hour advanced training course is a pre-requisite for the Perinatal Mental Health Certification, in the mental health/psychotherapy specialty. Registration includes training manual and certification of continuing education.
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Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychopharmacology
March 13, 2026 9:00 AM-4:30 PM PT | Virtual
Registration Deadline: February 25
This training, provided by perinatal psychiatric experts, is an evidence-based training on psychiatric prescribing during pregnancy and lactation. It is designed for psychiatric prescribers who have previously completed at least fourteen hours of perinatal mental health training. This advanced training combines expert presentation with case studies, group discussion, and practical examples. It is an interactive, case-based advanced seminar, covering differential diagnosis, medication challenges, and your questions. This course is an approved prerequisite for the Perinatal Mental Health Certification in the psychopharmacology specialty. Registration includes training manual and certification of continuing education.
| | Child Care Aware Invites Early Educators to Join Education Series on the Pyramid Model | | Family & Caregiver Supports & Events | | Upcoming Local Family Events | | Pamoja Place Offers Resources for BIPOC Families | | |
Pamoja Place is an organization dedicated to growing community and a sense of belonging for BIPOC individuals on Whidbey Island.
Do you know any families who have been impacted by recent immigration pressures? Pamoja Place offers immigrant resources and has representatives who can meet people where they are at.
Email at: pamojaplacewhidbey@gmail.com
| | Parent to Parent Island County Upcoming Events | | Fidalgo Nature School Registration & Hiring Announcements | | Opportunity Council Announces LIHEAP Energy Assistance Appointments Beginning in March | | NASWI Fleet & Family Support Announces Family Fair & Hiring Events | | Upcoming Sno-Isle Family Events | | Storytimes & Family Fun at Oak Harbor Library! | | Storytimes & Family Fun at Coupeville Library! | | Storytimes for our south end libraries! | | Click below for even more family friendly events! | | Do you have updates or resources you'd like to share with the broader network? | | |
Mom and Mind Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Kat Kaeni, licensed psychologist, mom, and perinatal mental health expert, this channel dives deep into the real, raw, and healing conversations about postpartum anxiety, depression, identity shifts, and the journey of motherhood.
💛 Here, we talk about the things people don’t say out loud — the messy middle of motherhood, the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum life, and the incredible resilience it takes to find yourself again.
✨ Whether you’re a new mom, new parent, a mental health professional, or someone supporting moms, you’ll find honest stories, expert interviews, and empowering tools to help you heal, grow, and feel less alone.
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Questions? Contact us at PYC@whidbeyfoundation.org
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