ESD-123, 3918 West Court Street Pasco, WA 99301 Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday

Director: Mr. Steve Witeck Phone: 509-544-5770 Fax: 509-544-5795 Evaluator: Phyllis Campbell Ault Evaluator affiliation: NWREL Evaluation Program

State PIRC Board:

Gayle Breneman, Washington State PTA Region 12;
Melinda Brennan, Program Coordinator, Walla Walla Community College;
Rich Carter, Superintendent, Walla Walla School District;
Yolanda Esquivel, Coordinator, WA Migrant Council at College Place;
Carolyn Fazzari, Director of Early Childhood Education, Columbia Basin College;
Janet Hayakawa, Director of Center for the Improvement of Student Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI);
Saundra Hill, Superintendent, Pasco School District;
Cassie Johnston, Director, Washington PAVE;
George Juarez, Superintendent, Othello School District;
Mike Kirby, Superintendent, North Franklin School District/Connell Community;
Lorrain Landon, Coordinator of the Parent Education Center, Pasco School District ;
Helen Malagon, Title III State Director, OSPI;
Michelle Mann, Director, Benton Franklin Workforce Development Council;
Judy Morgan, WSPTA Secretary, Washington State PTA Office;
Michael Patterson, Executive Director, The Emmaus Center;
Jamilyn Penn, Title 1 – Parent Outreach, OSPI;
Judy Reault, Assistant Superintendent, ESD 123;
Rich Reisinger, Director, CBC Foundation;
Adie Simmons, Director, Office of the Education Ombudsman;
James Skucy, Executive Director, Benton Franklin Head Start;
Janet Smith, State Parent Representative;
Mary Snitily, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Prosser School District;
Rich Stewart, Superintendent, Dayton;
Maureen Walsh, Washington State Legislator; and
Chuck Wheaton, Othello School District

The Washington State PIRC provides meaningful and useful information, training and education to parents (families) with at-risk children through on-site regional activities and a technology-supported statewide dissemination design.

Parental engagement model
There are five regional parent resource sites currently being established within five different communities to provide direct family services based on each communities’ specifically-identified needs via a parent (family) needs survey.

Early childhood model
The Early Childhood study is a true scientific experimental design involving 170, low-income, primarily Spanish-speaking families. Families of two-year-old children in the five target areas will be randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control group. Families assigned to the treatment group will participate in an educational home-visit model to strengthen their role as their child’s first teacher. Bilingual home visitors will provide support and instruction to these families on a weekly basis with additional socialization opportunities for families twice each month. The goal is to enhance the child’s school readiness, facilitate a medical home, and solidify the parent’s role in his/her child’s learning. The progress of children in both the treatment and the control group will be assessed every 6 months to document growth. This study is being evaluated by the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. Members of both the control and treatment group will have access to all of the information, training and education provided at the five parent resource sites within their communities.

Major Activities
The five PIRC Sites we will provide parent/family training on the results of the parent needs assessments. In addition, education on No Child Left Behind will be conducted. Two of the parent information sites are located at Elementary School sites. There will be scheduled school site visits with the parents as part of group activities to establish connection and familiarity in a school setting. We will offer educator trainings on adverse child experiences, the effects on poverty on school success and working with diverse populations. Development of parent leadership skills will also be provided along with developing parent school relationships.

• Seven Family Resource Kiosks (pilot) located within regional agencies and businesses
• Comprehensive WA-PIRC website (Spanish/English)
• Early Childhood Program providing scientific experimental design
• Partners include: representation from state Title I, Title III, and PTA; statewide, regional, and local parents; regional service agencies and 34 faith-based organizations; and five school districts within the Lower Columbia Basin
• Direct Service area: rural and remote regions of state; targeting low socioeconomic and second language families. (Note: the region receiving direct services is the size of the state of Delaware, and 1/3 the size of the state of Hawaii.)