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When Catherine Vlach’s world turned upside down during her husband's relapse, she felt overwhelmed and fearful for her family. However, everything changed when she joined ESD112’s Family Support Specialist program in 2018.

In this story, a parent shares how their son’s ECE Mental Health Therapist, through the ECLIPSE program, became a trusted partner in coordinating compassionate, collaborative care.

Even something as routine as a dental screening can become a pivotal moment. At the Fruit Valley ECE Center, a child who had always refused oral health screenings finally felt comfortable, thanks to a trauma-informed pediatric dentist’s patient, compassionate approach. That small but meaningful encounter was the result of years of trust and care established through early education.

At Kelso Christian Academy, an Early Achievers coach played a crucial role in helping both staff and families address behavioral challenges in the classroom. One young girl exhibiting aggressive behavior responded well to new, supportive strategies introduced with the coach’s assistance. Another child, sensitive to noise, flourished after being introduced to tools like noise-canceling headphones, completely transforming his classroom experience. The coach not only supported the children but also collaborated closely with parents to ensure consistency between home and school.

Family Support Specialist Diana Jaramillo Pardo recalls one mother who escaped a domestic violence situation with nothing but her young daughter and a desire for a better life. Through consistent support and early learning services, this mother secured housing, employment, and stability. Her daughter is now thriving in her care, and the bond between them is stronger than ever.

When Adam came into foster care at just 11 months old, he carried with him the invisible weight of trauma. Malnourished and diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, he had spent so much time confined to a car seat that his spine was misshapen. But his story didn’t end there; it began again, with the love of a new family and the support of Central Park Early Learning Center’s Early Head Start and ECEAP programs.