When parents become their children’s first and best teachers, kids start school on a path to success.

Children from low-income communities of color routinely start school well behind their peers. They have as much potential as any child. Their families simply face bigger inequity.

The ParentChild+ program closes this preparation gap by supporting parents during the crucial early years of their kids’ development. When parents become their children’s first and best teachers, kids start school on a path to success.

How It Works

Learning at Home and Learning in the Classroom

This program reaches struggling, low-income families when and where it matters most—in the home, when children are 2 and 3 years old. With this specific, respectful support, parents can prepare their kids for success.

• Trained parent coaches visit families at home twice a week for two years
• Coaches bring a book or toy each week and model educational play
• Families are matched with coaches of the same language and cultural background so the program is culturally relevant

Success to Date

Reaching More Kids and Parents

We’ve expanded this year to serve 1,300 families across King County. Daniel and Sammy are just two of the thousands of kids seeing success.

• 85% showed significant increases in school-readiness skills like focus and communication with teachers and other students
• We’ve expanded the program in high-need areas of south Seattle and south King County. Our program partners now also serve immigrant, refugee, African American and Native American families
• Recent local research shows the program positively affects kids for years beyond kindergarten. Kids who participate are 30% more likely to graduate high school

Our Goal

Help Every Family That Wants Support

With your support, we can make the ParentChild+ program available to even more low-income families. Our goal is to double the percentage of kids in our community who are ready for kindergarten – from 40% in 2015 to 80% in 2020.

This is about giving all children in our community, particularly the most vulnerable, a chance to thrive, both today and tomorrow.

Brooke and Josh Williams, United Way ParentChild+ program donors

Get Involved with ParentChild+

There are several ways to get involved with ParentChild+. You can become a sponsor, donate, or click below to learn more about the program

ParentChild+ Honor Roll

With support from these generous donors, we are helping young kids become ready for school.

More programs related to helping students graduate:

• Bridge to Finish

• Reconnecting Youth