ChildStrive
Posted by Gary O'Rielly
on Jul 14, 2015
Our guest speaker last Friday was Terry Clark, CEO and Executive Director of ChildStrive a community based service provider for families with children, ages birth to three with developmental disabilities, developmental delays or are at risk of falling behind. ChildStrive was formerly known as the Little Red School House. ChildStrive has been in business for the past 52 years. The writer is very familiar with ChildStrive because our grandson was a client until he turned 3 on January 6th.
ChildStrive's motto is very appropriate and on target. "Little Steps to Big Possibilities". Research indicates that young people learn best in their natural environments, within their daily routines, involving a parent or primary care giver, utilizing personal motivations to practice things that are difficult. Transitions played a major role in the organization's development. In 2008 transitioned to home based programs; 2011 added nurse family partnership; 2013 added parents as teachers and changed the name at the 50th celebration.
ChildStrive has 70 employees and a budget of $4.3 million dollars. Last year they served 3820 children and families. Major funding sources are from school districts; state and federal funds through County; federal funds through Affordable Care Act; private and public insurance and individual donations and foundation grants.
Early intervention services include Snohomish and North King County. Parents as Teachers includes developmental parenting support for families who are experiencing homelessness. Nurse-Family Partnership includes nursing support for first time pregnant women 25 years and younger. And Outreach includes parent and caregiver support and screen for families with young children at risk of developmental delays.
The Little Red School was founded by parents and the South Snohomish County Exchange Club in 1963. In 2013 as indicated above, the name was changed to ChildStrive. Terry Clark has worked in public and not-for-profit organizations for more than 30 years as a special education teacher, counselor of preschoolers and their families and non-profit administrator. Terry became the CEO and Executive Director in October 2008. She holds a dual masters degree in special education and counseling and has extensive experience in many areas of non-profit management. She received the Washington State Governor's Child Abuse Prevention Award in 1998.