Welcome to the
Partner Support Hub!
At First 5 FUNdamentals, we know that clear communication and meaningful collaboration are essential to the work we do together. This space was created for you—our partners—to offer clarity, transparency, and tangible resources that help navigate recent shifts in structure, funding, and operations.
Clear, straightforward answers to common questions about structure, funding, roles, and next steps.
Details and guidance on our current contracting process, timeline, and what to expect as things shift.
An overview of the process, progress, and guiding principles behind our current shifts—plus where we’re headed together.
Still have questions?
Let’s chat.
If you’d like to talk through any changes, ask questions, or explore how we can best support your work—let’s connect.
What’s on your mind?
Frequently Asked Questions
✨ About First 5 FUNdamentals
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First 5 FUNdamentals is a Pierce County–based nonprofit that partners with communities across Washington state to uphold their collective goals for families with children prenatal to age 5. We provide operations support that strengthens Washington state’s early childhood ecosystems. We do this by mobilizing funding through partnerships with cross-sector leaders to steward impact networks that co-design solutions to emergent community needs; bolster perinatal services; develop innovative approaches to the ongoing child care and child welfare crises; and ensure our work is rooted in the lived-wisdom of community voice.
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At First 5 FUNdamentals, abundance isn’t about having more—it’s about making the most of what we have, together. It’s a mindset that centers connection, shared purpose, and community-led solutions. In a field too often shaped by competition and scarcity, we choose to invest in trust, relationships, and long-term impact. Abundance means honoring lived experience as expertise, resourcing the work that matters most, and building systems that reflect the strength and wisdom already present in our communities.
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Local voice isn’t just part of the process—it’s the foundation. Our direction is shaped by the experiences of families, early childhood professionals, and community leaders across Washington. We’re guided by the insight, leadership, and deep community connection of networks like WCFC and PCECN. These initiatives reach hundreds of partners across sectors, elevating the perspectives and wisdom of families, service providers, and community-based organizations from across the state.
By listening closely and aligning our strategies with the priorities emerging from community voice, we ensure our direction reflects the real challenges families are navigating—and supports a future built with, not just for, our communities.
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When we say “lived experience,” we’re referring to the insight and perspective of people whose lives are directly impacted by both unjust systems and the community-based supports made possible through our partnerships—families, parents, child care providers, and community leaders across Washington.
🧱 Structure & Strategy
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Over the past year, we’ve streamlined our internal structure to more directly support the community-led work at the heart of our mission. This includes reducing internal program staff, refining roles, reducing contracts not directly aligned to program services, investing in capacity-building and compliance support, and shifting resources toward programs, networks, and partnerships that directly impact children and families.
These changes are designed to reduce internal complexity and reinforce our role as a responsive, connected, organizing entity for community programs.
As changes across the public sector reshape how services are funded and delivered, we’ve adapted to ensure this critical work continues—anchored in partnership, collaboration, and community.
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We’ve been working toward structural changes over the past two years to meet the realities of rapid growth. Since 2020, we’ve navigated two Executive Director transitions, responded to staff concerns, and conducted an internal audit that identified the need for stronger organizational systems and oversight. When our current Executive Director joined, we made significant updates to our financial systems, contract tracking, and internal policies to ensure we remain trusted stewards of public funding—and trusted partners to public agencies and to each of you.
A combination of strategic planning, internal learnings, and external pressures—including financial constraints across the nonprofit sector—have led to the steps we’ve taken to align operations with what matters most: the well-being of children and families.
The most recent changes to staffing, contracts, and fiscal practices are a direct impact of funding restrictions and a deepening commitment to compliance.
At the core of these changes is our focus on stewardship—ensuring resources are used responsibly, remain aligned with the needs of children, families, and communities, and are positioned to have the greatest possible impact.
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We’re grounding every decision—from budget to strategy—in the priorities of children, families, and the communities that support them. That means listening deeply, resourcing networks like WCFC and PCECN, and uplifting community-led solutions. By aligning our operations with the needs voiced by caregivers, providers, and early childhood professionals across Washington, we’re centering what matters most—and evolving not just for sustainability, but for deeper impact.
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Our strategic planning process is rooted in deep collaboration with community partners. Through listening sessions, surveys, and shared reflection, we’re building a plan that reflects the wisdom, priorities, and practical insight of those closest to the work. Rather than building a plan in isolation, we’re shaping our future together—imagining what’s possible when we center children and families, stay rooted in our values, and embrace abundance and collective strength.
We invite you to get involved by visiting the Strategic Planning section below.
💼 Fiscal Sponsorship
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Fiscal sponsorship is a way for community-led efforts without nonprofit status to access funding, compliance support, and infrastructure through a partnership with a 501(c)(3) organization like First 5 FUNdamentals. Fiscal sponsorship is a fee-for-service offering of First 5 Fundamentals.
As a fiscal sponsor, we manage financial administration, ensure legal compliance, and support grant reporting—so our partners can focus on their mission-driven work.
Availability depends on alignment with our values and priorities, funding requirements, and staff capacity.
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Maybe! We consider fiscal sponsorship on a case-by-case basis. Potential projects must align with our mission and vision, and have resources available to cover the administrative costs of sponsorship. If you're interested, reach out to share your goals, structure, and funding model. We’ll explore whether there’s strong alignment—and if it’s not a fit, we’ll do our best to connect you with other local options.
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Contact us to learn more about our Fiscal Sponsorship services.
Contracting with First 5 FUNdamentals
We partner with individuals and organizations across Washington through contracts that support community-led solutions, collaborative planning, and shared systems work. Our approach is rooted in relationship and responsiveness—ensuring each contract aligns with shared goals, defined deliverables, and available resources. This includes staying in compliance with state labor laws and adapting as guidance shifts.
Have questions? You'll find answers to common contracting topics below.
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As part of our commitment to transparency and compliance, First 5 FUNdamentals is aligning our contracting practices with fiscal resources, internal governance guidelines, and guidance from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
We’ve implemented partial-year contracts in some cases to ensure each contractor’s work aligns with our emerging strategic plan and any programmatic governance requirements.For our networks, this includes having an approved charter in place that clearly outlines the collective goals each contractor is committed to advancing.
For all partners, this means aligning work with both our strategic direction and available financial resources. Short-term contracts help mitigate risk, reduce overhead, and provide flexibility as we navigate shifts across the sector.
For Independent Contractors, this includes reviewing contractor relationships to ensure they meet state criteria for independent contractor roles and workers’ compensation coverage.
In some cases, this may mean:
Adjusting contract scopes to emphasize short-term, project-based deliverables
Addressing multi-year or recurring contractor relationships
Shifting some roles to employment or fiscal sponsorship structures
Using a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for new state-level contracts
We’re continuing to meet 1:1 with potentially impacted contractors and remain committed to clear communication and collaborative planning.
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We understand this can feel uncertain, and we're here to support you through it. Depending on the nature of your work, there are several potential paths:
Create a short-term (3-to-6 month) deliverables-based scope of work.
Work with a fiscal sponsor or consulting entity that employs multiple staff;
Form a company that meets L&I requirements;
Explore part-time employment with First 5 FUNdamentals (where eligible);
Contract through another organization in your region or network.
Our team is happy to talk through what might make the most sense for your situation.
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Yes—when possible. If you'd prefer to remain a contractor, we’ll work with you to review and revise your scope of work. Our goal is to help you remain in your role while staying compliant with Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) requirements.
That said, not all scopes of work can be adapted to meet compliance. If needed, we’ll explore other options together to ensure continuity and care.
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Not necessarily. However, some contracts—particularly at the state level—may require a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process. In those cases, awards are determined through a neutral review and selection process.
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We're working closely with the WCFC Leadership Team to find the best path forward. Some statewide roles may shift to part-time employment for continuity and compliance. Others may remain as contractors, with scopes and deliverables clarified to reflect evolving needs.
For regional coalitions without a fiscal sponsor, we’re offering compliant, short-term contracts to allow time for sponsorships to be secured. Once that’s in place and the WCFC charter is finalized, contracts may be extended through June 2026.
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In most cases, no. Reach out to our team if you have specific questions around reporting requirements.
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We currently issue 3-, 6-, and 12-month contracts based on alignment with deliverables and available funding. This flexibility helps us meet partners where they are while ensuring shared clarity and accountability.
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You’re welcome to reach out to Elmer Patoc, Grants and Contracts Manager, or Linden Obel, Data & Evaluation Manager, with any questions about your contract. You can also attend open office hours or request a one-on-one conversation—we’re here to support you.
“We are learning what it means to build an organization that reflects abundance rather than scarcity—where relationships, imagination, and trust lead.”
Maile Hadley, Executive Director
STRATEGIC PLANNING
First 5 FUNdamentals is in the midst of an intentional, values-driven strategic planning journey. We’ve been listening deeply, imagining boldly, and aligning our internal structures to better serve children, families, and communities across Washington.
Click above to learn more about our process, progress, and guiding principles.
Share your questions, ideas, or concerns with us. Better yet, click the icon to reach out! Get involved, share your voice, and help shape what’s next.