Developing a Statewide Help Me Grow System: Perspectives from Families, Service Providers and Administrators in the State of Washington
The first five years of a child’s life can set the foundation for their later success. Connecting families with the services and resources they need to support their young children’s development is essential for ensuring that children thrive to their fullest potential. For many families, finding help can be hard. Without a well-built resource and referral system, expectant families and families with young children will need to navigate an overwhelming system of services on their own. Families of young children may experience challenges in accessing the care that they need to support their children’s development. A team of Child Trends researchers conducted interviews and focus groups with people who use, or whose work is connected to, Washington’s resource and referral systems, including Help Me Grow Washington. The purpose of these interviews and focus groups was to identify challenges with existing systems for connecting families with services. In particular, these individuals include parents, caregivers, service providers, and administrators who operate programs that serve expectant families and families with young children. The perspectives and recommendations shared in this report can inform the continued development of Help Me Grow Washington.
