DEL News

August 25, 2008
DEL funds 12 community projects to provide parent education, support

OLYMPIA – To support parents as their children’s first and most important teachers, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) is funding 12 projects around the state that reach foster parents, young parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and others to support healthy child development. This is the second time DEL has awarded funding to community parent education and support projects.

“We want to make sure all Washington parents have access to information about how to help their children grow up safe, healthy and with a love of learning,” said DEL Director Jone Bosworth. “Families come in so many forms. We want to reach out locally to our state’s diverse families with the tools and resources they tell us they need.”

DEL awarded the funding after reviewing more than 70 proposals covering a range of family and parenting topics. The selected projects will reach families in 16 counties:

  • St. Joseph Family Center, Spokane County. Parent education and support classes about child development, children of divorce and anger management for at-risk working families without benefits/insurance and ineligible for public assistance.
  • Lutheran Community Services NW, Clallam County. “Parenting the Second Time Around” program for grandparents raising their children’s children.
  • The Arc of Kitsap and Jefferson counties. Supporting successful transitions to public school for families with children in special education early intervention.
  • Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom County. Baby Connections: nurturing and child-rearing skill development for low-income families, and Hispanic and Eastern European immigrants.
  • Friends of Youth: King and Snohomish counties. Healthy Start: home-based parent education and support for first-time parents under 22 years of age.
  • Yakima Interfaith Coalition -- La Casa Hogar, Yakima County. Powerful Families: parent leadership development for first generation monolingual Spanish speaking families.
  • Island County Health Department. Mother's Circles: a weekly drop-in support and education group; and Jail Parent Education for incarcerated parents.
  • Asotin County Health District. Monthly drop-in circle time, stories and activities, reading/literacy tips for low-income families eligible for WIC.
  • The Refugee Women's Alliance, King County. Workshops in child development, parenting skills, and public school navigation for parents who have immigrated from East Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
  • Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery, Benton County. Education and support for at-risk families and families in transitional housing that are experiencing trauma.
  • American Indian Community Center, Spokane County. Positive Indian Parenting Program for urban tribal families and foster parents of American Indian children.
  • Child Care Action Council, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Thurston, Mason, and Pacific counties. BlockFest: math and science family activities and learning open to all parents and caregivers.

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The Washington State Department of Early Learning is a Governor’s Cabinet-level state agency created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. DEL oversees the state-funded comprehensive preschool program, child care licensing, and other initiatives and programs to support parents as children’s first and most important teachers. For more information, visit the DEL Web site at www.del.wa.gov.

For more information:

DEL Communications Manager Amy Blondin
360.725.4919 (office)
360.878.0628 (cell)
amy.blondin@del.wa.gov