A Step Ahead in Pierce County supports families of infants and toddlers with special needs. Offers home visits and peer groups to Pierce County children aged birth to three with developmental delays or who are in foster care. Enhances child development and relationships, both at home and in their community.
www.asapc.org
ChildReach:
ChildReach, a program of Pierce County Community Services, provides free screening for children age birth to 36 months at a variety of convenient community locations. Screenings provided for language, learning, behavior, and motor development. Parents receive information and resources, such as developmental activities and community resources. Referral and follow-up provided.
www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/Abtus/ourorg/comsvcs/CoAction/html/chreach.htm
Children’s Home Society:
Children’s Home Society provides a variety of services for children and families across the state. Services include adoption, mental health services, reunification, early learning (Early Head Start, Head Start, Parents as Teacher, court-based drop-in child care), family support services, Family Support Centers, out of home care, and advocacy.
www.childrenshomesociety.org
Franklin Pierce Schools:
Franklin Pierce Schools promotes kindergarten readiness, which includes social, physical, emotional, and pre-academic skills. Programs, educational tools, and resources for children aged birth to five and their parents include free “READY! for Kindergarten” classes for parents of 2, 3 and 4-year-old children, free Head Start program for 3 and 4-year-old low-income children, and free screening for all 3 to 5-year-old children living within the district. A team of specialists, including a school psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and an educational specialist, screens young children in coordination, behavior, speech/language skills, hearing, and school readiness skills.
www.fpschools.org
HopeSparks:
HopeSparks provides counseling and educational services to address issues including: abuse, divorce/anger management, depression, early childhood development, and marriage crisis. The mission of HopeSparks, a nonprofit, human service agency located in Pierce County, is to strengthen families by inspiring courage and confidence to make lasting change.
www.hopesparks.org
Metropolitan Development Council:
The Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) is a nonprofit Community Action Partnership. MDC offers services in over 40 programs through education, family services, drug and alcohol treatment, housing, homeless services, prevention, and economic and career development. Provides individualized help to clients who need assistance in more than one area of their lives. Efficient communication, referral and case management services ensure clients receive the most comprehensive and effective care.
http://www.mdc-tacoma.org/
Pierce County Community Connections:
The Pierce County Community Connections Department manages the County’s aging and long-term care, mental health, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependency services. The department develops comprehensive plans, operates and monitors programs, and helps community agencies.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/humsvcs/humsvcs.htm
Pierce County Community Connections, Developmental Disabilities:
The Pierce County Community Connections Department, Developmental Disabilities provides services and supports for families that have a concern about their child’s ability to meet their developmental milestones. If you have a child, birth to three, and are concerned about their development contact us to find out more about these services.
Call: (253) 798-3790 or 1(800) 642-5769
www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/health/devdis/ddhusvc.htm
www.co.pierce.wa.us/xml/services/health/devdis/Babies%20Cant%20Wait2.pdf
Puget Sound Educational Services District:
Puget Sound Educational Services District develops and delivers a wide selection of services for ages birth through 21. These include helping schools and serving students and families directly. Sometimes services are free. Types of services offered to children and those who care for them: infant and preschool programs; comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and social services; involvement and job readiness opportunities for parents; training and support for the child care community; programs for students with special needs; services for children with vision issues, hearing loss, and deaf-blindness.
Call: (253) 778-7800
www.psesd.org
Puyallup Tribe of Indians:
The Puyallup Indians have lived along the shores of Puget Sound for thousands of years. Tribal members play vital roles in many aspects of life in the Puget Sound region. The Puyallup Tribe’s Birth to Six Program promotes the development of healthy children in our community by strengthening the critical roles of parents, families, and professionals by giving all of our children the best possible start in life. Birth to Six provides child development screening, culturally-relevant family resource coordination, information and referral, and direct early intervention services. Those eligible are Indian children between birth to five years of age, who are enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe. Families must reside within the service area of the Puyallup Tribe.
Call: (253)572-6061
www.puyallup-tribe.com
Tacoma Learning Center (HopeSparks):
Tacoma Learning Center is a HopeSparks program dedicated to providing inclusive family-centered education programs and therapy to infants and young children. Offers in-home specialized teaching for children with developmental delays, on-site play groups, and parent education.
Call: (253) 565-4887
www.hopesparks.org
Tacoma-Pierce County Child Care Resource and Referral (City of Tacoma):
Tacoma-Pierce County Child Care Resource and Referral gives free telephone and on-line referrals of licensed child care. Also available: information on how to choose quality care and general information about child care in Pierce County. Professional development and on-site help given to licensed child care providers.
Call: (253) 591-2025 or 1-888-370-6133
www.cityoftacoma.org/childcare
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department:
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department enhances personal and community health by controlling contagious diseases, protecting drinking water and food supplies, preventing illness and death caused by behavior choices, dealing with public health emergencies and natural disasters, and also strengthening families. Family Support Centers located in almost every area of Pierce County. Each Family Support Center helps families learn about: healthy pregnancy, how young children grow, how to help a child learn, and parenting skills. Family Support Centers also help families find resources for food, clothing, and housing.
Call: (253) 798-6543
www.tpchd.org/index.php
Tacoma Public Schools:
Tacoma Public Schools offers many free preschool options for qualifying families including Head Start, ECEAP, Title I preschool, Montessori preschool, and Special Education preschool. Several Special Education preschools, as well as Montessori preschool at Bryant Elementary, provide preschool for a fee. Free full-day kindergarten provided at all schools.
Call: (253) 571-1870
www.tacomaschools.org
Click below for local autism resources:
Autism Center of University of Washington
Autism Society of Washington/Tacoma Chapter
Fort Lewis/McChord AFB Autism Support Group
Fort Lewis/McChord AFB Autism Support Group