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Frequently Asked
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Does IMPACT provide therapy services to kids?
IMPACT does not provide therapy services to children. If a child is identified as being in need of therapeutic services, the IMPACT consultant will support the provider in making appropriate referrals for the child.
What types of providers can access IMPACT services?
Northwest Center’s IMPACT program is sponsored by Public Health – Seattle and King County, Best Starts for Kids of King County's Child Care Health Consultation grant. Services are offered free of charge to early learning programs that serve children aged birth to five years in King County. IMPACT works directly with licensed childcare centers, licensed in-home family child care providers, and license-exempt part-day preschool programs, including extended day and wraparound care providers. If you are a provider that does not fall within these categories you may be able to access IMPACT services. Please contact impact@nwcenter.org if you are interested in learning more.
Who is eligible for the STARS approved trainings?
Providers who become IMPACT partners are able to access our full range of training topics. Certain training topics are available and offered free of charge to the greater community of licensed childcare centers, licensed in-home family child care providers, and license-exempt part-day preschool programs, including extended day and wraparound care providers that serve children aged birth to five years in King County. Please contact impact@nwcenter.org if you are interested in learning more.
How can we get started with IMPACT services?
If you are a provider who is interested in either IMPACT consultation, training or both, please contact us or email impact@nwcenter.org to get started. Our Program Coordinator will contact you to learn more about your program, needs and goals and will schedule an intake meeting with you to discuss the types of supports IMPACT can provide and to complete the intake paperwork needed to start a partnership.
How have services changed due to COVID-19?
The IMPACT team is continuing to deliver childcare health consultation services during this time, with all of our services currently being delivered using a hybrid model. Our team is now delivering in-person services in a limited capacity in addition to virtual services. IMPACT partners also have access to our Public Health Nurse Consultant who is available to support with health and safety practices and protocols related to COVID-19, in addition to other health and safety needs programs may have.
Can you help support us with Early Achievers?
Your program’s EA Coach is the best person to reach out to with questions related to Early Achievers or preparations for rating.
How are you different from EA and DCYF Licensors?
Unlike DCYF licensors, IMPACT is not assessing compliance with licensing requirements or the WACs (Washington Administrative Code). We can answer questions and offer support to ensure you’re offering a safe and healthy environment for children, but we are not a regulating or enforcing body.
Unlike Early Achievers (EA), IMPACT does not use a quality rating system or evaluate your program against a standard. IMPACT helps teachers individualize their instruction and environment to meet the needs of the particular children in their classroom. Teachers get to set their own goals and stay in control of the process.
Unlike Early Achievers (EA), IMPACT does not use a quality rating system or evaluate your program against a standard. IMPACT helps teachers individualize their instruction and environment to meet the needs of the particular children in their classroom. Teachers get to set their own goals and stay in control of the process.
Can you work directly with families?
IMPACT services are at “arm’s length” from children and families. We work directly with early learning programs, teachers, and administrators so they can deliver the best possible care to children in their classrooms.
Do you offer any parent coaching programs?
We do not conduct parent trainings or family support groups.
If we are outside King County, can we access IMPACT services?
Northwest Center’s IMPACT program is sponsored by Public Health – Seattle and King County, Best Starts for Kids of King County's Child Care Health Consultation grant. Services are offered free of charge to early learning programs that serve children aged birth to five years in King County.
Can I receive IMPACT services if I want to enroll a child with special needs in the future, but don’t have any currently enrolled?
Yes! We want your early learning program to feel confident enrolling and caring for children with special needs in the future. Supports will be customized to your program’s unique needs but might include increasing knowledge and preparedness through professional development for teachers or planning with administrators/leadership.
If I’m a parent, can I refer my child’s center to your program?
Yes, parents can refer their child’s early learning program to IMPACT. We ask that parents make the initial contact by sharing information about IMPACT with your childcare’s director or program supervisor. Please invite them to reach out to us, or once you have made the initial contact, we are happy to reach out to them directly to discuss how IMPACT can serve them.
Can IMPACT diagnose a child?
No, IMPACT does not offer diagnoses. IMPACT does assist childcares in conducting developmental screenings and partnering with families on referrals for diagnostic evaluation or therapy, if this is of interest to the family.
A child does not need an identified diagnosis for IMPACT to provide supportive services to your program. Our inclusive mission encompasses children with medical or health care needs, developmental delays, challenging behavior, trauma or adverse childhood experiences, mental health concerns, or children who are at-risk.
A child does not need an identified diagnosis for IMPACT to provide supportive services to your program. Our inclusive mission encompasses children with medical or health care needs, developmental delays, challenging behavior, trauma or adverse childhood experiences, mental health concerns, or children who are at-risk.
Does IMPACT have a list of childcare programs to recommend for children with special needs?
IMPACT does not provide recommendations to specific childcare programs. We want children to thrive in their community, at the childcare chosen by their parent or guardian. We will partner with the childcare of your choosing, as we believe all childcare programs are capable of providing high quality early learning to children with special needs.
Contact Us Via Email, Phone, Fax, or Form
Feel free to contact us with general questions, requests for services or support, or for resources.
Don't see the trainings you are looking for? Please reach out to us and let us know. We welcome feedback and ideas about what training topics are needed by the community we serve.
Email: IMPACT@nwcenter.org | Office: (206) 691-2587
Don't see the trainings you are looking for? Please reach out to us and let us know. We welcome feedback and ideas about what training topics are needed by the community we serve.
Email: IMPACT@nwcenter.org | Office: (206) 691-2587
