November 2007

Early intervention helps children reach their potential

To ensure the success of all children in our community, United Way of King County has prioritized helping those who face additional barriers to their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development, such as those with developmental delays or disabilities. There are 65,000 children birth to 3 years of age in King County, and it is estimated that up to 2.2 percent, or nearly 2,000, annually experience developmental disabilities. [King County Developmental Disabilities Division, 2006]

Because children develop so rapidly during the first years of life, it is critical to intervene early. With your support, we fund seven early intervention programs, which help detect problems early and provide the intensive care children need so that they can achieve the highest possible degree of functioning. Those programs include: Birth to Three Developmental Center; Boyer Children’s Clinic; Dynamic Family Services; Encompass; Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center; Kindering Center; and Wonderland Developmental Center, which is one of our newest grantees.

In addition to investing in agencies that pre-screen and serve children with special needs, we also:

• fund organizations that train child care providers in how to work with children with special needs
• leverage additional federal dollars for agencies that serve low-income families caring for children with special needs
• support and participate as a member of the Prevention and Early Intervention Action Team, part of SOAR, a community collaborative we fund to improve the success of children and youth.

No two children develop in the same way, but when parents, caregivers, pediatricians and other professionals work together, we can ensure that all children reach their potential.

Learn More

Visit our Web site for recommended reading on developmental milestones and delays and success stories of families who have overcome challenges, such as Dale Lauer and his family.

Together we have the ability to change our community
for the better in fundamental, lasting ways.

For more information on why United Way of King County cares so much about kids and what we're doing to promote early learning in our community, visit our web site. If you have specific questions or needs pertaining to early learning, please contact earlylearning@uwkc.org

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