As summer winds down and a new school year begins, we want to take a moment to thank all of our partners for your ongoing commitment to supporting children and families across Washington. Your partnership and collaboration make this work possible. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about network updates and the progress we've made together on several strategic initiatives outlined in the

Help Me Grow WA Strategic Plan. We look forward to continuing this important work with you in the months ahead! 🍂📚 

Establish New Partnerships

Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) Partnership: The final WSMA webinar on Food Security is Monday, October 12th at noon. Register here! The UW’s Dr. Marie Spiker, PhD, will be sharing about the future of food security data and how physicians can use this effort to adapt their practice. This is the final webinar in a series of webinars that HMG WA has collaborated on with WSMA. Past webinars are available as podcasts and CME credits are available to those who are seeking them.  

Food Security Focus: As part of the partnership with WSMA, HMG WA technical assistance is available to physicians and physician assistants to design or strengthen clinical efforts around food security. Even if you’re already screening for food security, HMG WA can be a resource in getting services for patients who screen positive. Reach out to Jackie Litzau at JackieL@withinreachwa.org to learn more!

Tribal Engagement: Since 2022, HMG WA has been engaging with Tribal Nations to better understand Tribe-specific priorities as well as connecting with Native-serving organizations to learn about the needs of the Native families they serve.

Learn more about what the last four years of this partnership has taught us and where we are headed.

Coordinate Funding & Advocacy

We are pleased to announce that the Help Me Grow Washington is now a partner in the North Sound ACH Community Care Hub. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to connecting families with the support they need through coordinated care, community partnerships, and a focus on advancing health and well-being for all. This system-to-system connection includes HMG Whatcom, HMG Skagit, HMG San Juan County, HMG Island County, and Snohomish County.

Technology & Reporting Build-out

Resource Directory Community Check-in: Earlier this summer, we brought together partners who have helped shape the Help Me Grow Resource Directory through resource updates, feedback, and collaboration. During this statewide community check-in, attendees received the latest on our Geographic Area Served project, learned from a partner spotlight featuring Help Me Grow Island County's local resource directory efforts, and explored recent resource directory enhancements. The session also provided a forum for partners to share ideas and learn about future opportunities to stay involved as we continue strengthening this tool for families and providers across Washington. 

Have questions about how to use our Help Me Grow Resource Finder? We’ve made a video to help make it easier!  

Specialized Referral Pathways

Perinatal Substance Use Disorder: Referrals are steadily increasing through the specialized Perinatal Substance Use Disorder support pathways, along with our relationships with other organizations and agencies supporting this population.

We continue to receive new referrals for pregnant and postpartum people experiencing SUD from all types of referents such as law enforcement, schools, OBGYN clinics, emergency departments, recovery groups, behavioral health practices, and more.

The Plan of Safe Care e-course has been a helpful tool primarily for hospitals to utilize as they build Plan of Safe Care into their workflows and clarify their roles and responsibilities. Building on the success of these tools and resources with labor and delivery staff, we are exploring the next steps for training and outreach, including how to best reach Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across the state.

Establish Governance

The HMG WA Stewardship Council enters a new phase! In the year and a half since our first meeting, the advisory Council has created its structure, learned together about Help Me Grow, and monitored the progress of HMG WA's Strategic Plan. Beginning in 2027, the Council will take on a larger role- meeting more often and advising on issues beyond the strategic plan. In addition, WithinReach will now take over hosting duties from the Department of Children, Youth & Family Services (DCYF). We are excited for this new level of Stewardship Council engagement! 

Help Me Grow WA Network Updates

The Help Me Grow Washington Network is made up of organizations and local champions supporting healthy child development. With support from the state affiliate, WithinReach, they carry out local implementation of Help Me Grow.

Help Me Grow Skagit

Help Me Grow Skagit is overseen by the Children’s Council of Skagit County and United General District 304, and supported by a variety of partners.

The Children's Council just published our annual report for the second year of our current strategic plan. It highlights Help Me Grow Skagit work along with other initiatives in our community that support children and families. 

Help Me Grow Grays Harbor

Celebrating Diaper Need Awareness Week in Grays Harbor: Help Me Grow Grays Harbor partnered with the Parents as Teachers home visiting program and the Grays Harbor Diaper Bank Network to celebrate Diaper Need Awareness Week, with support from Wellpoint Washington (Apple Health). 

The event brought 47 families together for an afternoon of connection, fun, and support. Families received free diapers and wipes, connected with local resources—including Birth to Three services and parent support groups through South Sound Parent to Parent, monthly playgroup offerings, and other family resources—and enrolled in the Lantern texting program to continue receiving information about local resources and upcoming events. 

Families also enjoyed a fun craft activity, played together, and had an opportunity to simply spend time together in a welcoming community environment. It was a great reminder that meeting basic needs, connecting families to resources, and creating opportunities for families to build relationships all play an important role in supporting healthy, strong families. 

Photo: Help Me Grow Grays Harbor at a Diaper Need Awareness Week event.

Help Me Grow Island

Earlier this month, Partners for Young Children in partnership with Help Me Grow Island County hosted a successful and fun-filled Island County Children's Day, bringing together more than 77 families and 300 community members for a free day of activities, entertainment, and family connection. The event's goal was to connect families with local resources while creating opportunities for fun and community engagement. 

Highlights included: 

• 35 family resource partners offering information and interactive activities 
• Live entertainment throughout the day, featuring a magician, juggler, a DJ’d kid rave, and the reptile lady, sponsored by Sno-Isle Libraries 
• Face painting  
• Petting zoo sponsored by our local animal sanctuary 
• A quiet tent for sensory-sensitive kiddos 

We were especially excited to welcome families from across the region, including visitors from Everett and Sultan. Thank you to all of our partners, volunteers, and families who helped make this event such a memorable day for our community! 

Photo: Face painting at the Island County Children's Day.

Help Me Grow WA Statewide - Notes of Gratitude

Kate Agyei Yeboah

As Kate Agyei Yeboah moves on from her role as Perinatal Health Partnership Manager, we extend our heartfelt thanks for her leadership and dedication to children, families, and communities across Washington. Kate's stewardship of the Plan of Safe Care Community-Based Pathway has helped advance more responsive, family-centered systems, always grounded in community voice and partnership. Her commitment to centering family experiences and strengthening cross-system collaboration has made a lasting impact on our network. We are grateful for all she has contributed and confident that the work she helped shape will continue to benefit families for years to come. We wish Kate every success in her next adventure. 

Heidi Larsen 

As Heidi Larsen transitions from her role as Help Me Grow Specialist, we want to express our deep gratitude for the many ways she has strengthened the Help Me Grow WA network. Heidi played a pivotal role in establishing the Help Me Grow WA Stewardship Council, helping to create a strong foundation for shared leadership and system stewardship. Throughout her work, she has championed equity and consistently modeled the practice of putting relationships first. Her contributions have left a lasting mark on our network, and we know the systems and partnerships she helped build will continue to grow and thrive. We wish Heidi all the best in her next chapter.

Resources to Share

Join us Oct. 22 at 12 PM for our Annual Impact Update 

Hear from WithinReach and Help Me Grow Washington team members, along with our partner at the Washington State Medical Association, as they share:

• What we’re learning from families and communities
• How partnerships help remove barriers
• How those insights can contribute to broader systems change

• Washington Prenatal-to-Three Coalition Calling All PN3 Advocates! The coalition, convened by WithinReach, will share updates on statewide efforts to advance perinatal mental and behavioral health and housing supports for PN3 families. Please be sure to register to hear more at the next coalition-wide meeting on Thursday October 22, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Learn more about the coalition

• Help us share this free resource with families! Receive short text messages to help your parenting journey. We cover it all: tantrums, nutrition, brain-building activities, local events, and more! Signing up for Lantern is free and easy – text KIDSWA to 274 448. 

• We’re excited to share the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) program Milestones Moments booklet, is designed for parents to celebrate and reflect on their child’s growth, learning and development. It captures the important moments, achievements, and milestones that make each child’s journey unique. Order your Milestones moments booklet today and celebrate your child’s journey.

Send along ideas and resources for the Help Me Grow Washington website and future newsletters by emailing Help Me Grow WA.

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