Business Name
Activity
Phone Number
MARTIN REED
activity
phone
Business Name
Activity
Phone Number
MARTIN REED
activity
phone
Business Name
Activity
Phone Number
MARTIN REED
activity
phone
#1 Online Resource for Family Friendly events in Tri-Cities, WA
Educational Resources
​
​
The following list is a compilation of great educational resources for children in our community. I would highly reccomend you utilize them as much as possible to get the maximum benefit for your children. The educational resources below are a great tool to getting them prepared for school.
Libraries
Our local libraries are a great source for introducing them to reading, building their vocabulary and strengthening their knowledge. Our libraries provide a huge array of activities for our entire community including infants to teenagers. They have baby story times, interactive book reading including preschool hour activities, and other special events.
MidColumbia Libraries has 12 branch libraries and bookmobile that provides library services to residents of Benton, Franklin, and parts of Adams Counties.​ Their services and programs are free for anyone living in Benton and Franklin County.
Richland Public Library While this branch is not connected to Midcolumbia libraries, this library is open to the entire community including all events. The only catch is you can't check out books unless you are a Richland resident. If you would like to for a nominal fee you can
​
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
ESD 123's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a "whole child," comprehensive, family-focused preschool program that provides FREE services and support to eligible children and their families. The goal of ECEAP is to help ensure all Washington children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
21st Century Extended Day Programs
A community learning center offers academic support and enrichment opportunities to students and their families during non-school hours (before or after school) and during the summer. 21st CCLC programs assist students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards in reading and mathematics, as well as providing opportunities for academic enrichment. Examples include drug and violence prevention, art, music, recreation, technology, and character education programs. Learning centers also serve the families of participating students through education and training opportunities such as family literacy programs.
Partners for Early Learning is the Richland School District's initiative to ensure that parents, childcare providers, and community stakeholders work together to help young children enter school with the academic and social readiness skills they need to be successful. Research clearly shows that children who arrive at school lacking social and pre-academic skills have a difficult time catching up to their peers. Research also shows that the most effective and cost efficient time to build the foundation needed for success in school is birth to five, not after they enter kindergarten.
"We need to reach many more of Richland's at-risk children before they enter school," states Assistant Superintendent Erich Bolz. "There are countless parents who do not have the resources to access even informal pre-school services. We are seeking to change that."
Help get our youngsters off to a good start.....Tri-City Herald Op-ed​
​
United Way
United Way has several program partners they fund that offer the following resources to our community:
Benton Franklin Head Start: School Readiness Program - Works with low-income families, school districts, and the childcare community to prepare children for kindergarten.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin Counties: Fast Forward - Returns dropouts to high school and keeps them engaged until they graduate.
Catholic Family Charities Serving Central Washington: Provides 3 play & Learn Programs in both Spanish and English as well as a support group for parents and caregivers called Chatterbox
Richland Early Learning Co-op: Our program includes both children and parents / caregivers. The environment and activities are designed with children ages one, two, and three+ in mind. The co-op is both family-friendly and family-centered. We welcome families to come and learn together.
Children's Developmental Center: The Children’s Developmental Center provides services to young children, birth to three years old with disabilities and challenges and their families residing in Benton and Franklin Counties and some outlying areas.
The Arc Tricities
I'he Arc of Tri-Cities was started by parents with children of developmental disabilities to be a bridge to inclusion. This program enables Enables individuals with disabilities to learn social and independent living skills.
As a parent you are the most important person in your child's life. Children grow and change rapidly during the first three years. Think of your child and how he or she is growing. You know your child best. You notice things like how and when your child smiles, sits up, walks, talks, or holds a cup. What you are seeing is how your child is growing thorough the different developmental stages. When a child has a delay in development, services are available. The Infant Toddler Program coordinates efforts to help families access the services they need for their child and family.
​
Other useful site:
OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Early intervention services during the first three years can make a big difference in a child’s life. With funding provided by the Department of Early Learning's (DEL) Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program, ESD 123 provides services to children birth to age 3 who have disabilities or developmental delays. Eligible infants and toddlers and their families are entitled to individualized, quality early intervention services in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C.
Early intervention services are designed to enable young children to be active, independent and successful participants in a variety of settings—in their homes, in child care, in preschool programs and in their communities. Referrals to early intervention services are provided through Local Lead Agencies (LLA) and Family Resources Coordinators who help families access the early intervention services their child may need. As the LLA for Walla Walla County (Columbia, Waitsburg, Prescott, Walla Walla, and College Place), ESD 123 provides early intervention services that meet the needs of eligible infants and toddlers.
The Early Learning department works to promote learning readiness in young children by working in partnership with local school districts, child care providers, community partners and parents to provide quality early learning programs and professional development opportunities throughout the ESD 123 region. Working toward a vision that all children have high quality early learning experiences that support optimal growth and development, the Early Learning department focuses on the earliest years in an effort to ensure that all children are ready for school and for life.
Recognizing parents as their children’s first and most influential teacher, our programs and services work to provide education and resources for parents, as well as professional development and training opportunities for caregivers and early childhood educators who work closely with families. Ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to learn is paramount in our efforts to collaborate, support and engage those involved in helping children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
The Children's Reading Foundation
READY! for Kindergarten sessions are held three times a year. Sessions are for parents and caregivers of children 3-5 years old and in some instances birth to five years. Participants who attend the sessions receive free tools, toys and encouragement. READY! for Kindergarten values parents as their child's first and most influential teacher. The program encourages parents to give their child the best possible start in life by talking, singing, reading and learning to play with a purpose. Childcare is provided at each READY! for Kindergarten session. Contact us for more details.
​
The READ Up: Stop the Summer SlideSM program helps reverse summer reading loss slide by providing opportunities for children to continue to read throughout the summer months. READ Up helps families, caregivers, and children keep reading aloud part of their daily summer routines.
​
Our national Read With a Child campaign reminds parents and caregivers 20 minutes of reading with a child are the most important ones of each day. The direct and simple call to action is easily accomplished and leads to strong outcomes. Reading each day not only builds vocabulary, language, and pre-literacy skills, it provides an opportunity to build social and emotional skills that are just as important to school success.
Mid Columbia Partnership
Providing quality educational opportunities and resources for students in grades K through 12 that enriches the student learning experience. MCP partners with families to provide a quality education for children in a safe, professional, family-friendly environment. MCP operates under the authority of the State of Washington and the laws pursuant to an alternative learning experience (WAC 392-121-182). MCP is a public school program that values its role as a partner to parents in their child’s education. As a part of the Kennewick School District there are no costs to participate. MCP's staff is made up of certificated and community partners who have made a commitment to our program and its philosophies. MCP is set up around the needs and desires of our families while still meeting the laws that govern us as a public school program. MCP is open to all families in all the surrounding districts. Visit us on facebook by clicking here
The Family Resource Center of Tri-Cities is a Non-Profit Organization committed in serving the Community by bringing knowledge, services and resources to serve children with developmental disabilities and low income families.
We strive to connect families to the best services and resources available. We provide a wide range of services, programs and monthly Events to help bring the less fortunate to the best Family Friendly environment.
​