Community
29
2026
Pierce County Early Childhood Network: 2025 Network Funding Spotlight
Guiding Focus of Network
Pierce County Early Childhood Network (PCECN) is committed to rapidly responding to the emerging needs of Pierce County families by connecting them to supports that strengthen child and family well-being.
PCECN ensures families with young children have a safety net before, during, and after a crisis occurs, and/or preventing a crisis altogether. PCECN’s critical infrastructure gives children and families a reliable support system to learn, grow, and thrive
How Network Was Formed
In 2017 local leaders, including Speaker Laurie Jinkins and former county council chair Derek Young, voiced concerns over the number of children entering the child welfare system in Pierce County, compared to the state average. Family Connects and PCECN (formerly known as Help Me Grow Pierce County) were identified as effective responses to this crisis. The WA State legislature has continued to make critical investments in infrastructure that has benefited Pierce County, allowing First 5 to contract with DCYF to implement Family Connects as a pilot for the rest of the state, and PCECN as a successful child welfare prevention pilot.
Shared Successes That Have Emerged From This Network
In partnership with the PCECN Healthcare Provider Voice Action team, it was recognized that Healthcare Providers are often confronted with the question of where to send their patients and families for support from community resources outside of the medical home. The Provider Referral Form was then created. Where Warm Referral Navigators housed at United Way connected with families within 48 business hours to connect them to community resources that meet their needs. The referral form authorizes the transfer of information between our Family Resource Navigators and the provider. The PCECN Family Voice Action Team is a collaboration of providers and families who work to ensure a healthy start in life for all children by increasing awareness of community resources, coordinating efforts to support families, and developing new resources needed to advance a more equitable early childhood system. From these meetings the idea that families are also wanting to know firsthand of the resources, specifically Spanish speaking families. From then, Voces de Familia was created. Convening together families and resources to connect- all in Spanish! Pierce County Early Childhood Network supports a network of diaper banks with 13 locations open for families in Pierce County.
1-2 Big Goals Your Network is Hoping to Achieve in 2026
Sustain and protect our service infrastructure through legislative funding. Through our fundraising efforts with the legislator, we are also education the community and partners to be involved in advocacy. Continue to grow our network of partners to ultimately fill gaps. Families need us more united than ever. We are hoping to continue to live into our values as an organization to put families in Pierce County at the forefront of our work.
Advice For Others Looking to Leverage Networks to Help Build a Thriving Community
Challenges to Anticipate
When it comes to a network, the community may be confused on the ultimate goal of a network. Make sure you refer to resources about an Impact Network. Don’t assume they understand your verbiage. Including community into your network! Community partners are just as valuable and more than likely to be willing to engage. But how are families showing up? Are you providing a safe space for them? Is the relationship transactional?
Tips for Navigating Challenges
Build authentic relationships! If you are trying to gain trust from community, understand that it’s going to be a process. Instead of rushing to, lean into the process to build authentic long lasting relationships.
How to Build Shared Goals
Use framework like Liberatory Design. These principles help navigate the conversation and discussion for goal setting in group settings.
As someone leading and facilitating, understand there are power dynamics in place and put items in place to break them down.
- Do anonymous safety checks – so you know how comfortable are folks sharing their input
- Land on a decision-making framework – Fist to 5, etc.
- Use the mindset of Safe Enough to Try. Folks want to see action, and it’s important not to get caught up in never ending discussions.