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Central WA Families is a coalition of central Washington health, business, and community organizations that want to protect our families and our economy in the 4th Congressional District.

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45 active cases from ORIA

36 cases incoming

13 cases closing by end-of-month (if Carina doesn't receive a response)

4 more cases arriving today

To work on this high number of cases, Carina is training someone to aid in the work. Carina is currently taking cases from ALL over the state.

Families as well as workers are being either detained, prosecuted, or deported by ICE.

A few people are requesting in-person case management.

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Benton/Franklin: virtual only

Chelan: virtual only

Clark: virtual only

Grant: virtual only

King: virtual only

Kittitas: in-person/virtual

Pierce: virtual only

Yakima: in-person/virtual

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Washington state launches Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Projects

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Washington state launches Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Projects

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OLYMPIA - In its 2024 session, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 2368 to expand the legal authority of the Department of Social and Health Services' Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance to support the basic needs of asylum-seekers. ORIA received $25 million in funding to provide support services for people who have recently arrived in the United States and Washington who are ineligible for federal refugee services. With that funding, ORIA established a pilot project, called the Washington Migrant and Asylum-Seekers Support project, which is designed to provide short-term, basic-needs services until June 30, 2025. WA MASS soft-launched Oct. 1, 2024, and has started serving participants in King and Pierce counties. Full, statewide eligibility screening for participant households across all regions began Nov. 1, 2024, including connection to virtual services. Read the full release.

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Washington state launches Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Project

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OLYMPIA - In its 2024 session, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 2368 to expand the legal authority of the Department of Social and Health Services' Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance to support the basic needs of asylum-seekers.

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Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance 

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Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance 

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The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is part of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, within the agency's Economic Services Administration and Community Services Division. Our goal is to help refugee and immigrant families and individuals succeed and thrive in Washington state.

Washington Welcomes Refugees

Washington is home to a very large, diverse and dynamic refugee and immigrant community and has historically ranked as one of the top 10 resettlement states in the United States.

We have strong community partnerships and provide culturally appropriate services through contracts with community-based organizations, voluntary refugee resettlement agencies, local community colleges, and government agencies.

Explore Our Services
Economic stability through support, education and training.
Data
Refugee and Humanitarian Immigrants in Washington in FY 2024

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Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance

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The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is part of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, within the agency's Economic Services Administration and Community Services Division. Our goal is to help refugee and immigrant families and individuals succeed and thrive in Washington state.

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Student leaders visit with legislators

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, the School Board legislative representative, Steve Wolcott, and West Valley Superintendent, Dr. Peter Finch, took a group of students to Olympia to visit with our state legislators. In addition, in the afternoon on Feb. 5, one of our student leaders, Maya Amos, and Dr. Finch testified in support of HB 1557 which would scale-up the Guaranteed Admission Program for all students in Washington State.

Students who attended the field trip were:

-Maya Amos, High School

-Katie Champie, High School

-Zachary Farina, High School

-Pete Kegley, High School

-Cody Floren, Innovation Center

-Emiliano Jimenez, Innovation Center

Students visited with the following legislators from our legislative district (15 th District):

-Senator Nikki Torres

-Representative Jeremie Dufault

-Representative Chris Corry

Students also visited with the following legislators:

-Representative Deb Manjarrez

-Senator Drew Hansen

For the visit with Representative Dufault and Representative Corry, our students were able to visit the floor of the House of Representatives which is very unusual. The state photographer took a photo of our students and our legislators together on the House floor.

The visit on Feb. 5 was scheduled in conjunction with the Washington Communities for Children. The West Valley School District is a member of the local regional coalition for early learning which is called the Investing in Children Coalition. Staff members from West Valley have learned about many innovative programs through our membership on the regional coalition. For example, we learned about "Play and Learn" through our membership with the regional coalition. "Play and Learn" is our program to invite families with young children to each of our elementary schools on Fridays during the school day. In addition, we have a "Play and Learn" session after school on Thursdays at the Innovation Center.

At Olympia, our students were able to meet-up with other coalition members from Yakima with a group photo in front of the Capitol Building.

The meetings with legislators were a great experience for our students to learn about the legislative process and for our legislators to learn from our students about innovative work in West Valley, such as our extensive "College-in-the-High-School" program at West Valley High School and our Career Pathway program at the West Valley Innovation Center.

In addition, students were able to attend the House Committee on Post-Secondary Education and Workforce where one of our high school students, Maya Amos, testified in support of HB 1557 regarding the Guaranteed Admissions Program.

West Valley has participated in a voluntary pilot of the Guaranteed Admissions Program since the program began four years ago. Through this program, seniors in high school receive an email in October if they have a 3.0 GPA and they have completed the college entrance requirements for the CADR - the College Academic Distribution Requirements. The email informs them that they have guaranteed admission to all Washington State, public, four-year colleges and universities, except the University of Washington. However, the program does include the University of Washington - Tacoma. Students must still apply to the colleges or universities of their choice. The email informs them that if they do apply to the public college or university, they are guaranteed admission.

In his testimony, Dr. Finch shared that he often has concerns about unfunded mandates; however, with this program, there is minimal staff time required. The only requirement is to submit a data sharing agreement with the Washington Student Achievement Council and provide an upload of information from our student records system regarding our seniors. West Valley High School senior, Maya Amos, shared that this program helps students to expand their horizons and make them aware of opportunities that they might not have considered.

Her testimony included the following statement:

"My name is Maya Amos. I am a senior at West Valley High School. I will be attending Yakima Valley College next year. Recently, I spoke with a classmate who plans to attend one of our state universities from the Guaranteed Admissions Program. She shared how this program significantly broadened her horizons as she might not have considered pursuing higher education without it. When she received the email notifying her of automatic admission it gave her a sense of comfort and reassurance knowing that she already had a pathway into college. This program provided her with an invaluable opportunity for a future education she may not have gotten otherwise."

Overall, the trip to Olympia on Feb. 5 was a great experience for our student leaders from West Valley.

Student Leaders at the Senate Gallery

Student Leaders meet with Senator Nikki Torres

Student Leaders at the Capitol Building in Olympia

WVHS Senior, Maya Amos, testifies in Olympia

Student Leaders with Rep. Dufault & Rep. Corry on the House Floor

Student Leaders with Rep. Dufault & Rep. Corry on the House Floor

Student Leaders meet with Investing in Children Coalition representatives

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Student leaders visit Olympia - West Valley School District 208

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On Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, the School Board legislative representative, Steve Wolcott, and West Valley Superintendent, Dr. Peter Finch, took a group of students to Olympia to visit with our state legislators. In addition, in the afternoon on Feb.

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Governor's Budget Proposed Savings in Early Learning

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Governor's Budget Proposed Savings in Early Learning

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NEW: Notes From Olympia February 28, Week 7 of the 2025 Legislative Session

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Update from Feb. 28th on early learning legislation, highlights of week seven, what’s on deck for week eight, trivia, and more.

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Legislature Home

In 2023, the legislative session will return to an in-person format. Legislative buildings are open and capacity in legislative hearing rooms adjusted. Remote participation opportunities will continue. Please go to the House Operations and Senate Operations plans for more details. To view legislative proceedings click here for TVW. Please click here ​ for more information about testifying in a committee, submitting written testimony, getting your position noted for the legislative record, and contacting your legislator.

What's happening on the floor?

Today is Day 60 of the 2023 Regular Session

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​More Information

Get bills via web services: The Legislature makes bill, committee, and law information available via web services for developers using automated systems. For more information, see the Legislative Web Services page.

Budget Links:

Reports to the Legislature: Find reports filed by state agencies and other organizations as requested by the Legislature.

Session Laws:

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Legislature Home In 2023, the legislative session will return to an in-person format. Legislative buildings are open and capacity in legislative hearing rooms adjusted. Remote participation opportunities will continue. Please go to the House Operations and Senate Operations plans for more details. To view legislative proceedings click here for TVW.

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Advocacy Updates — Washington Communities For Children

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3rd Equity & Professional Development Workshop - Last Week of March or 1st Week of April

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3rd Equity & Professional Development Workshop - Last Week of March or 1st Week of April

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Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer

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Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer

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This is the home page for Kittitas County Public Health. Our missions is to protect and promote the health and the environment of the people of Kittitas County.

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The Partner Toolkit was created to provide communication tools to support partners with their communications about Help Me Grow Washington. Help Me Grow Washington partners include anyone who is part of the network: parents, caregivers, service providers, employers and professionals of all kinds who focus on connecting families to the local resources they need.
Help Me Grow WA Universal Messaging

Help Me Grow WA Localized Messaging

This messaging will be helpful when describing Help Me Grow Washington in specific counties or regions in the state.

Digital and print materials are available below to download. Please email us if you have any questions or feedback; we welcome suggestions on new materials!

Digital Materials

Help Me Grow WA Logos

Social Media Graphics

Print Materials

Help Me Grow Flyers

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The Partner Toolkit was created to provide communication tools to support partners with their communications about Help Me Grow Washington. Help Me Grow Washington partners include anyone who is part of the network: parents, caregivers, service providers, employers and professionals of all kinds who focus on connecting families to the local resources they need.

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Please follow this link to sign in to today's meeting:

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Please follow this link to sign in to today's meeting:

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Education:
Medical School at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma

Experience:
Dr. Shockley worked 1 year in Pediatric Urgent Care at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Emergency Department. She also Worked 3.5 years at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Wapato, WA, taking call at Toppenish Hospital for newborns and pediatric admissions.

Why CWFM:
I love to work with families as a whole, that means integrating behavioral health and social assistance with traditional medicine. I also love to teach!

Courtney aspires to:
"Improve the health and wellbeing of kids and teens and to empower them to pursue their dreams. "

Hobbies:
Reading, Hanging out with my kids, Traveling, All things DISNEY!

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Courtney Shockley, MD | Community Health of Central Washington

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Education: Medical School at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.Residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Experience: Dr. Shockley worked 1 year in Pediatric Urgent Care at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Emergency Department. She also Worked 3.5 years at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Wapato, WA, taking call at Toppenish Hospital for newborns and pediatric admissions.

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Big Thanks!

This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills. Special thanks to the following individuals who participated on the Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Workgroup:

Toolkit design & content creation

Colleen Condon, Molly Curtiss, Molly Draben, Cadie Dye, Debbie Ham, Brittany Hartikainen, Katie Maisch, Eiledon McLellan, Melissa McPheeters, April Messenger, Linden Obel, Nancy Spurgeon

Toolkit translation

Marina Medrano

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Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Toolkit - Washington Communities For Children

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This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills.

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Eva Chavez or Suman Pandey at YVFWC, Lincoln

Amanda Lee at YVFWC in Toppenish

Stephen Pearson at Central WA Family Medicine

Central WA Family Medicine Branch in Ellensburg

Sarah Ortner BHC at Ellensburg

Questions for consideration:

How can we do outreach in Kittitas?

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Why Early Learning is Important:

Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness:

Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

Physical - The early years are important for the development of fundamental gross-motor and fine-motor skills needed to be active learners.

Language - Children need to understand increasingly complex language and use language to express their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings.

Cognitive - Children are more successful in school when they have positive approaches to learning, and are able to attend, engage, and persist to solve problems.

Literacy - A child's progress in reading and writing is one of the best predictors of whether the child will function competently in school and in life.

Math - Research shows that math is the number one predictor of future success in reading and math.*

*Duncan, Greg. University of California, 2007. Early Childhood Longitudinal studies. "The strongest predictors of later achievement are school-entry math, reading, and attention skills. Early math skills have the greatest predictive power."

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Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness: Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

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Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86168423961

Meeting ID: 861 6842 3961

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Health Provider Outreach - Presentation Slides

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Health Provider Outreach - Presentation Slides

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Help Me Grow Central Washington is a network of parents, caregivers, service providers, and professionals of all kinds. Thanks to this strong network we are able to help people and make our communities better. You can support Help Me Grow Central Washington in several ways:

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Give your child the brightest future possible.

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Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) is a network of coalitions dedicated to improving the wellbeing of children, families, and communities. Ten WCFC Regions across the state that have trusted relationships with over six-hundred organizations and individuals. Trusted partners include early learning providers, social service agencies, early intervention services, child welfare organizations, libraries, juvenile courts, school districts, public health agencies, higher education, families, and many others.

MISSION

Connecting local and statewide efforts to improve the wellbeing of children, families, and communities.

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Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) is a network of coalitions dedicated to improving the wellbeing of children, families, and communities. Ten WCFC Regions across the state that have trusted relationships with over six-hundred organizations and individuals.

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Science-backed early learning for children from birth to age 5.

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Vroom helps you add science-backed early learning moments to mealtime, bathtime, bedtime or anytime. By helping your child learn now, you get them ready for school, friends and life.

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January Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to our last meeting's Padlet)

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January Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to our last meeting's Padlet)

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Across the nation, Help Me Grow offers families seamless access to community services and supports so they can easily connect to the resources they need, when they need them.

The Help Me Grow Washington network represents a growing, powerful coalition of communities and individuals invested in building an organized system of community resources to help children grow up healthy.

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The Help Me Grow Washington network represents a growing, powerful coalition of communities and individuals invested in building an organized system of community resources to help children grow up healthy.

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Resources | Investing in Children Coalition

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New parents often need assistance when preparing for the birth of a child and caring for them after birth until age five. You can benefit from specially trained professionals who will show you how to get medical, social, educational, and other parenting resources to build a strong network of support for yourself and your child.