January 25, 2023
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.
Join Us For the Next Partners Meeting! 
Please join us virtually on Monday, March 4, from 2pm - 3:30pm for our next quarterly PYC member meeting. We are excited to learn more about Bright By Text! Stay tuned for more info!
Bright By Text Now Available In Island County
Island County has received a grant from the Department of Children, Youth & Families to further the Help Me Grow work by purchasing a subscription to Bright By Text.

Bright by Text tailors three to five weekly text messages to caregivers, providing evidence-based content on developmental milestones, brain growth, emotional health, nutrition, and resilience. Partnering with local organizations, they expand access to medical, educational, and social services, benefitting children, caregivers, and communities. This use of text messages is driven by their prompt nature, cost-effectiveness, and ability to reach marginalized populations, aiding 93% of low-income adults who rely on cell phones.
Help Us Complete The New Help Me Grow Resource Directory For Island County!
We're excited to share the recently launched Help Me Grow Island County website! Please review the Resource Directory and add or update resources in Island County
Advocacy & News
Parent of A Preschooler? You Can Contribute to Understanding Outreach Messaging
Statewide during the past 12 years, Washington has gained over 15,000 slots and decreased by 2,300 providers. The increases in capacity are a result of more family child care closures and larger centers opening. Since 2022, Washington has seen an increase of 400 family child care programs and 70 centers. Current gains in providers are encouraging, however we have significantly less providers than 12 years ago. The trend of less providers and more capacity being available at large centers has contributed to child care deserts, as the number of child care locations has decreased.  
Childcare Aware Statewide and County Data Reports
Statewide during the past 12 years, Washington has gained over 15,000 slots and decreased by 2,300 providers. The increases in capacity are a result of more family child care closures and larger centers opening. Since 2022, Washington has seen an increase of 400 family child care programs and 70 centers. Current gains in providers are encouraging, however we have significantly less providers than 12 years ago. The trend of less providers and more capacity being available at large centers has contributed to child care deserts, as the number of child care locations has decreased.  
Island County Community Health Assessment Workgroup
Campaign For Childcare
Imagination Library Now Available to all Children under 5 In WA
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. Created in 1995 by renowned entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton, the Imagination Library has a proven track record of promoting positive home literacy environments and increasing vital early literacy skills. Early reading is critical for every child.
 
Since Dolly’s special visit to Washington in August, we have rapidly experienced significant growth in the number of children signed up to receive their free monthly book – a 25% increase across our state! Whidbey Island has already enrolled over 1,300 children since December 2022!
New Opportunities
2024 Childcare Rate Survey
Western Washington University's Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) is conducting research on behalf of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Your response helps DCYF set Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) reimbursement by region and child age so providers are able to serve children receiving WCCC subsidies. Participants will be awarded a $100 Amazon gift card. 
In-Home Child Care Business Opportunities!
Are you interested in becoming a licensed Family Child Care? Or expanding your current Child Care Center? This grant helps to benefit current and future entrepreneurs in the child care industry. This grant is financed by the Washington State Department of Commerce in an effort to address the loss of child care capacity throughout the region.
In-Home Child Care Business Opportunities!
Island County Public Health, in partnership with the Center for Retention and Expansion of Childcare – NW & the Whidbey Community Foundation, is presenting informational sessions on how to launch a licensed child care business. Sessions will be presented in English and Spanish.

Sessions will cover licensed child care regulations, business start-up information, and the licensing process along with resources and assistance available. Each session will include a Q&A session with C-RECC, as well as follow up support for participants that choose to pursue their own child care business.
Initiatives Improving the Quality of Life in Washington State Supported
The Muckleshoot Charity Fund, funded with profits from the Muckleshoot Casino, awards grants to organizations in Washington State that address the unique local and regional issues facing the population. Funding priorities include education, health and human services, arts and culture, communities of color, Native American programs, the environment, and civic/community advocacy. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and public schools are eligible to apply.
 
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and successful applicants will be notified when funding is approved.
Funding Available for Minor Renovations to Early Learning Facilities
The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program will open a new funding round for the Child Care Minor Renovations Grant for Health and Safety on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Grants are for minor renovations and small capital improvements to existing early learning and childcare facilities licensed or certified by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on or before July 1, 2023.

Pre-applications due Feb. 22
Educational Gardens for Youth Funded in the U.S. and Canada
The Whole Kids Foundation is dedicated to improving children’s health and wellness through their nutrition. The Foundation’s Garden Grant Program provides support to schools and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada to turn outdoor spaces into hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curriculum. Grants of $3,000 support new and existing edible educational gardens at K-12 charter and public schools, K-12 private schools with nonprofit status, and nonprofit organizations (registered charities in Canada) that serve children in the K-12 grade range. To be eligible to apply, the school or organization must engage at least ten children on a regular basis and grow edible plants in the garden.
 
 Applications will be accepted from February 1 to March 1, 2024.
Grants Aim to Improve Reading and Literacy
Believe in Reading supports nonprofit organizations in the United States that teach, improve, or encourage reading by people of all ages. Grants are provided for programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, or Braille-related projects for the blind or visually impaired. Supported literacy programs should serve populations that show out of the ordinary needs, such as geographic areas with low reading scores and high poverty levels. Nonprofit organizations and equivalent educational institutions, including public libraries, are eligible to apply for support for existing and provably successful literacy programs that have been established for a minimum of two years.
 
Grant applications are considered as they are received. There are no specific deadlines.
Book Purchase Support Improves K-12 School Libraries
The Snapdragon Book Foundation provides funds to improve school libraries for disadvantaged children in the United States. Grants are awarded to public, private, and experimental schools that serve disadvantaged children in pre-K through grade 12. The Foundation believes that access to high-quality reading material is essential in helping to right inequities created by structural racism and is committed to awarding grants to libraries whose proposals pursue the opening of minds, hearts, and imagination for all readers. Grants may be used to purchase books that will be used repeatedly by school-aged children through classroom or central libraries, processing or cataloging fees from book vendors for the books ordered in conjunction with a Snapdragon project, reference materials for use by students, and magazine or newspaper subscriptions.
 
Application deadline: February 11, 2024
Testing For Lead in Child Care Drinking Water
Children six years old and younger are the most susceptible to the effects of lead exposure. Licensed child care programs in Washington are required to test their drinking water for lead and copper when seeking licensure and every six years after (WAC 110-300-0235). Child care programs must test fixtures that supply water for drinking, cooking, or preparing food or formula.

DOH offers free water testing through the Environmental Protection Agency’s WIIN Grant. The Department of Health (DOH) has identified over 5,500 licensed childcare programs serving approximately 178,000 children. Register for our free lead and copper testing program. DOH staff will follow up with additional details. If you have questions or want more information about the free testing program, contact us at leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov or 564-669-1098.
Earn Your Short Certificate In Early Childhood Education At SVC
Working Families Tax Credit
Washington State Early Learning Coordination Plan
Washington’s statewide Early Learning Coordination Plan (ELCP) is a tool to help the many people who care about children and families to coordinate and prioritize actions.

The ELCP was created to strengthen the capacity of Washington state’s parents, caregivers, early learning professionals, community partners, Tribal Nations, state agencies, and policy makers to foster healthy development and school readiness among our state’s youngest children (from prenatal to age eight); support the families of young children; eliminate systemic racism and oppression from our early learning system; and elevate the providers and professionals who serve the state’s children and families.
Workshops, Trainings & Events
Stars Trainings Through Sno-Isle
STARS Training Series: Best New Picture Books
Saturday, January 27, 2024 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
In Person at the Oak Harbor Library through Sno-Isle

So many picture books are published each year – how do you know which ones to choose for children? Join Sno-Isle as they explore the best new picture books to use with toddlers and preschoolers.

1.5 STARS credits.
FREE Registration closes January 26 at 4:30pm
Educator Workshops Through Sno-Isle
Library Support For ELL Students
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Online event through Sno-Isle

A 60-minute workshop to learn about public library tools and resources available to support ELL students and their families.

Washington state clock hours (1) are available for this class. 
FREE
Family/Caregiver Supports
Working Connections Child Care
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) helps eligible families pay for child care. When a family qualifies for child care subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of child care. Parents may be responsible for a copayment to their provider each month.
Diaper Related Payment benefit to TANF/SFA households
Diaper Related Payment benefit will begin Nov. 1, 2023. The Community Services Division will automatically issue $100 each month to a TANF/SFA household that has an eligible child under 3 years old to support with child-related necessities as diapers, pull-ups and wipes. The passage of SB 5838 (2022 session) and subsequent funding under ESSB 5187 (2023 session) has made the creation and implementation of the Diaper Related Payment benefit possible.
Island County Parent to Parent Support & Social Groups
There are many support and social groups now open again to the community. Learn more below about these opportunities.
The Fleet & Family Support Center
Island County Public Health Resources

New Baby, New Family is a local home visiting program. They provide supportive care for families with a newborn and pregnant mothers. Learn More.

New Mom’s Group is an extension of the New Baby, New Family Program. This is an informal gathering of new mothers and their infants. There is no registration or fee. Learn More.

Breastfeeding Class - Monthly Every Third Tuesday from 2:00-3:00 pm. Class location: 1791 NE 1st Avenue Oak Harbor, WA 98277. This is a free class taught by a Nurse and Lactation Consultant. Learn More.

Island County Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs - CYSHCN is a federally and state funded Title V Maternal-Child Health Bureau program offered through Island County. It provides: Linkages and coordination of services for all children with special needs as well as limited equipment and supplies to those families that meet financial and other program eligibility requirements. Learn More.
Do you have updates or resources you'd like to share with the broader network?
Community Corner: Resources and More!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Now Available on Whidbey! - All children under 5 in Island County are not eligible for free books mailed monthly to their homes. LEARN MORE - DOWNLOAD A FLYER


Child Care Provider Health Coverage - Employees of licensed child care facilities now have access to a NEW Health Care Premium Assistance Program through Washington Health Benefit Exchange. LEARN MORE

Virtual & In-Person Storytimes -

Whidbey Island Essential Needs Program - now available to help Whidbey Island friends and neighbors with practical needs like housing set-up expenses, utilities, and one-time extraordinary expenses like car repairs. LEARN MORE

Healthy Island Youth Initiative Scholarships - can be requested to cover registration fees, equipment vouchers, and other expenses that are a barrier to a child/youth pursuing an organized physical activity anywhere throughout Island County. LEARN MORE

Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island FREE Parent Support Circle - A new Parent Support Circle is a FREE community offering on Monday mornings twice a month from 10:30 - 11:30 via Zoom (in-person gatherings coming soon in North and South Whidbey). For more information, follow their Instagram page.

New Parent Support Home Visitation Program - The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program (NPSHVP) is a team of professionals providing supportive and caring services to military families with children 0-36 months of age. This program offers expectant parents and parents of newborn and young children the opportunity to learn new skills as parents and to improve existing parenting skills, in the privacy of their own home.  LEARN MORE

Island County Human Services Referral Form - The pandemic has impacted everyone in our community in one way or another. For many this has led to difficulties with increasing stress, finding childcare, parenting, housing, anxiety, depression, substance use, or in a number of other areas. We are in this together and there is help! Please complete this form, or call our Help Line at 360-678-2346 and someone will contact you to see how we can help. LEARN MORE


Check out our new website!
Questions? Contact us at PYC@whidbeyfoundation.org
PYC is a fiscally sponsored program of Whidbey Community Foundation.