Free online leadership course for parents, caregivers, and those who work with families

Washington Family Engagement is pleased to announce the Spring 2026 cohort of the Institute for Parent Leadership (IPL), a free, online leadership course for parents, caregivers, and those who work with families. 

The course is offered in English and Spanish and runs from Saturday, March 14, through May 16. 

K-12 educators earn 10 free, OSPI approved Clock Hours upon completing this course.

With more than 830 parent leaders who have graduated statewide, IPL strengthens participants’ ability to partner with schools, navigate public systems, and engage confidently in civic processes. IPL graduates consistently rate this program 5 stars.

“This course changed my life. It gave me the practical tools and the confidence I needed to become a stronger civic advocate and an engaged parent. I met other parents and felt heard,seen and validated.”

Register here

Questions: programs@wafamilyengagement.org

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ParentMap: 10 Lighted Seattle-Area Playgrounds to Brighten Your Night

The open design and lighted paths at Pathways Park are ideal for evening play. Photo: Meredith Charaba

"We’re well into the Big Dark season here in the Pacific Northwest. The sun might set before 5pm, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Although the day might seem to be over, many kids aren’t done playing. If you need a play break before dinner or want to wear them out before bedtime, these lighted playgrounds help keep the fun going while brightening your night.​"

This article in ParentMap reviews ten playgrounds around Puget Sound - including two near University Village - that have full lights when the rest of the world is dark.

Pathways Park, Seattle

Seattle’s largest, most inclusive park is well-lit at night. Lamp posts with LEDs line the paths and shine bright at sunset. The park has great visibility, too, with its open design. Plus, it’s just a few minutes’ drive from University Village, if you find yourself out late shopping and need a wide open space for the kids to run around afterward. We love the wide polished concrete slide, swing set and climbing structure.

Location: 5201 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle. Open 4am – 11:30pm.

The covered playground at University Village has lights and heat lamps. Photo: Meredith Charaba

University Village Playground, Seattle

This small playground, nestled within the University Village outdoor shopping center, is not only lit but also covered and equipped with heat lamps. The play equipment is geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, with a sign suggesting a height limit of about 46 inches. The turf ground is forgiving for crawlers and toddlers, and the enclosed area provides peace of mind for those with wandering little ones. The play structure provides opportunities to burn some energy climbing, sliding and balancing on stepping stones. The ride-on cars and rocking horse toys are a fun novelty, especially if you don’t have those at home.

Happy Lemon is right by the playground and is always well loved by kids, but there are endless options of family-friendly eats at University Village.

Location: 2623 N.E. University Village St., Seattle. Open Monday–Saturday, 10am – 8pm; Sunday, 11am – 6pm. ​

Read the article here

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The essential course for Washington parents - now online starting October 4 and December 13, 2025

Take the essential virtual course for parents! Registration is open now

Available in English and Spanish. 

Space is limited. Register here

Questions? info@wafamilyengagement.org

Visit our website: wafamilyengagement.org

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Washington Institute for Parent Leadership (IPL) – Fall 2025 Cohort Now Enrolling

The Washington Institute for Parent Leadership (IPL) is a statewide, free, online program recognized for developing parent and community leaders. 

Since its founding, Washington Family Engagement has graduated over 800 leaders who are now driving change in their schools and communities.

This valuable opportunity is open to parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with families. 

Participants gain leadership, civic engagement, and partnership skills that strengthen their involvement in schools and community life.

Fall Cohort Details

• Dates: October 4 – December 13
• Format: Online, twice weekly (one weeknight + Saturday mornings)
• Languages: English and Spanish
• Educators: Certificated teachers can also earn 10 Clock Hours

More information here

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Free Car Seat Check at Shoreline College Parking Lot August 9, 2025

Free Car Seat Check at Shoreline College Parking Lot on August 9, 2025 from 10am to 2pm. 

Shoreline Fire Department will be on hand for kids to visit the fire engine. All we ask of parents is to bring their car seat and vehicle manuals and a towel. 

Join Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from KidVantage for a Car Seat Check to learn everything you need to know to ensure your child is riding safe and you’re riding stress free.

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for kids under 13 and the best thing you can do is make sure your child has a safe seat. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon!

Shoreline College 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133

The car seat check is free to attend, but a suggested $10 donation per checked seat will help purchase car seats for local families who may not be able to afford them.

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Waitlist open for childcare subsidies under Best Starts for Kids

The waitlist for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Program is open! Click here to fill out this 5-minute form to be considered for child care funding available later this year.

Starting later this year, some families on the waitlist will be selected through a lottery to complete a full application and, if eligible, enroll in the program to receive a child care subsidy.

While joining the wait list doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the subsidy, it is an essential to join the wait list for a chance to be selected.

Even if you joined the waitlist previously, please fill out the form to update your information. Selections will be made from those families who have provided their information by filling out the waitlist form.

• Join the Waitlist Here!
• Learn More

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Caring for our Future: Community Family Fest sponsored by MomsRising

Caring for our Future: Community Family Fest

May 3, 2025, 1-4pm. Admission is FREE. Join for all or part of the event!

Shoreline Free Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 510 NE 175th St., Shoreline, WA 98155

Join us for an inspiring family-friendly event with MomsRising as we unite to advocate for affordable childcare and fair wages for early education teachers—essential supports that still remain out of reach for too many families. 

Enjoy interactive kids' activities such as rock painting, mural creation, story time, and kids yoga, along with tasty food and snacks. 

Let’s learn, engage, and drive the change our community needs for a brighter future.

Event is organized and hosted by Kat Hill, MomsRising Washington MomsForce Fellow

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Workshop: Parental support strategies for students with ADHD

Join Eastside for a free online presentation Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 6:30 to 8pm to learn from Margaret Sibley Ph.D.

This workshop will introduce parental support strategies designed to promote the transition to academic autonomy in students with ADHD. 

We will discuss core concepts related to homework completion, time management, keeping track of assignments and deadlines, as well as promoting organization skills. The materials will consider a range of student levels from elementary through high school when discussing the need for balancing autonomy development with accountability.

Maggie Sibley, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (FL8945, WA60938547)
Member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)
UW SMART Center
Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development

To register, please email info@eastside-chadd.org and include the following information:

1. Write “Balance“ in the subject line.
2. Your first and last name
3. Your Eastside CHADD membership number (If you’re a member of Eastside CHADD)
4. Email address to receive the ZOOM link (Only if it's different than the one you used to register)
5. Telephone number so we can contact you quickly in case of schedule changes

If you need to cancel your reservation, please notify us immediately (at info@Eastside-CHADD.org) so that your space can be given to another person.

Eastside CHADD members have priority enrollment. Non-members will be placed on a waitlist and enrolled after members have registered. To join Eastside CHADD and receive all the benefits of CHADD and Eastside CHADD, please follow this link

Please note that this presentation will not be recorded, so please join us 10 minutes before 6:30pm to learn how to help your children thrive.

Zoom link will be sent before the meeting takes place.

More information here

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Shoreline Community College: No cuts to parent education / preschool program

Parent co-op preschool program 
Photos courtesy Shoreline Community College

By Diane Hettrick

For 50 years, Shoreline Community College has operated deeply popular and appreciated co-op preschool / parent education programs. Currently there are six locations, each run by a highly educated expert in best practices in parenting.

Parents attend with their children on a rotating basis and spend time with the parent educator while the children have supervised activities and outdoor play.

There was shock in this community when it was recently announced that the program budget would be cut in half.

The state budget deficit is expected to impact funding at education institutions and the college is looking for the least harmful places to cut their budget.

In a letter to parents, College President Jack Kahn explained, "Like many institutions, Shoreline Community College (SCC) is facing significant financial challenges. Currently, 11 critical positions remain unfilled due to budget constraints, and the State of Washington is grappling with a $12 billion shortfall that could result in further reductions to higher education funding."

After a deeper analysis of the program, they found that "While the program is not entirely budget neutral, the financial gap is much smaller than initially estimated, which is great news.

"Dean Shanon Ehmke-Reedy and our Program Directors worked collaboratively on a plan to ensure the program remains financially sustainable for the foreseeable future. 

"For the 2025-26 academic year, we will be making some operational adjustments including an intended increase to the course tuition waiver fee to $31/credit."

He did warn that future budget cuts from the state would force a re-evaluation of all programs.

And he thanked the parents for their commitment.

"We sincerely apologize for any disruption or concern this process has caused. Given the challenging financial landscape, it was important for us to conduct a thorough review and proactively anticipate potential state funding changes. 

"Fortunately, thanks to further budget research as well as input from program directors coupled with your advocacy, we have a path forward that allows the program to continue with its current course offerings and setup."

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Hear about rights for students with disabilities at free online session February 26, 2025

Eastside CHADD will hold a free online session with Special Education Attorney, Nicholle Mineiro, who will explain “A Parent Guide to FBAs and BIPs for Students with Disabilities.”

Register for our free Zoom meeting on Wednesday, February 26 from 7 to 8:30pm.

Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) can be important tools in the toolbox for supporting student behavior, helping prevent excessive discipline or exclusion from the classroom, and improving academic outcomes. 

Learn the basics about what an FBA and BIP is, when and how to request one, how they can help, and current legal guidelines.

Nicholle Mineiro

Nicholle Mineiro has devoted her practice to securing the rights of students with disabilities. She once sat at the IEP table as a public school educator and parent, and brings that experience and compassion to her work today. 

She zealously advocates for children and youth rights in court, and is a trusted guide for families seeking better special education services. 

Ms. Miniero also serves the community working towards education public policy and legislative reform in Washington state, as well as training attorneys, parents and community members to advocate for the education rights of children and youth. 

She represents parents, guardians, and students in special education due process cases, civil rights litigation, and appeals.

To register, please email info@eastside-chadd.org and include the following information:

1. Write “Parent Guide“ in the subject line.

2. Your first and last name

3. Your Eastside CHADD membership number (If you’re a member of Eastside CHADD)

4. Email address to receive the ZOOM link (Only if it's different than the one you used to register)

5. Telephone number so we can contact you quickly in case of schedule changes

If you need to cancel your reservation, please notify us immediately (at info@Eastside-CHADD.org) so that your space can be given to another person.

Eastside CHADD members have priority enrollment. Non-members will be placed on a waitlist and enrolled after members have registered. To join Eastside CHADD and receive all the benefits of CHADD and Eastside CHADD, please follow this link: http://www.eastside-chadd.org/Join.html

Please note that this presentation will not be recorded, so please join us 10 minutes before 7:00pm to learn how to help your children thrive.

Zoom link will be sent on February 24th. If you have still not received your Zoom link on February 24th, please immediately email info@Eastside-CHADD.org to be sent a link.

More information here

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Programa de Crianza: Disciplina Positiva para la Familia - gratis

 

Programa de Crianza: Disciplina Positiva para la Familia

El Programa de Disciplina Positiva para la Familia es una serie de 8 clases semanales para padres/ cuidadores que desean relaciones más cooperativas y respetuosas con sus hijos. 

A través de este programa, los participantes pueden aprender herramientas para:

• Ser más efectivo como padre y divertirse el proceso.
• Disciplinar con amabilidad y firmeza al mismo tiempo.
• Criar niños responsables y respetuosos.
• Fortalecer tu red de apoyo social.
• Reducir el estrés y fortalecer la resilencia de su familia.

Para más información favor de comunicarse con:

Velia Lara
Parenting Program Manager
vlara@chs-nw.org (206) 631-8824

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"Fostering Independence: A Parent’s Guide to Delayed Maturity in Teens and Young Adults with ADHD During an Age of Uncertainty and Anxiety"

Free Zoom Meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:00pm. (Please note the earlier starting time, since Dr. Rostain is on the East coast)

"Fostering Independence: A Parent’s Guide to Delayed Maturity in Teens and Young Adults with ADHD During an Age of Uncertainty and Anxiety"

Parenting young people with ADHD has always been a challenge. But in this "Age of Uncertainty and Anxiety", it's even more difficult.

This talk will explain how ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders impede the development of self-regulation, executive function, social skills in your child, and how to adapt your parenting style to promote a better pathway toward independence. Q&A to follow.

Anthony Rostain, M.D

Anthony Rostain, M.D., is the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Cooper University Health Care and Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in New Jersey.

He co-authored You’re Not Done Yet: Parenting Young Adults in an Age of Uncertainty and The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years.

Register now to meet with Dr. Rostain via Zoom. Eastside CHADD members have priority enrollment so this is a good time to join Eastside CHADD. To join, go to the Eastside CHADD website and click on the “Join Eastside CHADD” button. You’ll be taken to the page with instructions on how to join.

Dr. Rostain is an engaging speaker who packed meeting rooms at the CHADD national conference in Philadelphia.

Zoom link will be sent on Friday, Jan. 24th.

Registration now open for members. Non-members can also register and will be added to the waitlist.

Register here and follow the directions

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Washington Family Engagement announces Winter and Spring cohorts of its Virtual Parent Leadership Course

Washington Family Engagement has announced the launch of additional cohorts for the popular Institute for Parent Leadership and Advocacy (IPLA).

This free, online course, available in Winter, Spring, and Fall 2025, offers parents, educators, and others who work with families the opportunity to strengthen their advocacy skills.

All courses are offered in both English and Spanish. With 757 parent leaders already graduated, this program has made a lasting impact on family engagement across Washington State.

The IPLA equips participants with vital skills in civic leadership, education advocacy, and effective collaboration with schools to better support children’s education. Participants will also earn 10 Clock Hours for certificated teachers.

Registration is now open for Winter and Spring cohorts:

• The Winter cohort begins Saturday, Feb 15, and concludes with graduation on April 19.
• The Spring cohort begins Saturday, March 15, and concludes with graduation on May 17.

Register here

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Washington’s premier virtual parent leadership course begins on October 5, 2024

The Fall cohort of the Washington Institute for Parent Leadership and Advocacy (IPLA) starts Saturday, October 5, and ends December 14, 2024. 

Join our transformative, 10-week, free, online course and learn new and effective advocacy and leadership skills to help your community move forward, support your children’s education and understand civic leadership. 

This class provides you with important topics and tools you’ll need to become a community leader, an informed and engaged Washington State resident and an education advocate.

Nearly 700 parent leaders graduates of Washington Family Engagement’s leadership programs have been making a difference statewide in the last decade.

Registration is open for this free, online, 10-week course that teaches participants to become empowered civic and education leaders who advocate for issues that matter the most to Washington children and families.

Registration here 

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Wonderland offers a free screening tool to assess your child's development

Should my child be crawling? 

Use our free Ages & Stages Questionnaire to screen your child's development in these five areas:

1. communication, 
2. gross motor, 
3. fine motor,
4.  problem solving, and 
5. personal-social.

Your child may be eligible for a comprehensive evaluation at no additional cost! Click here to learn more

Wonderland Child & Family Services is a nonprofit agency headquartered in Shoreline, serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, and prenatal substance exposure. Founded in 1969, Wonderland is dedicated to helping children meet healthy developmental milestones.

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Free online: Positive Discipline parenting classes from the Center for Human Services

Want to connect with other parents and explore ways to strengthen your family relationships? Participants of our program have reported increased knowledge of parenting and child development, parental resilience, and positive communication.

As one parent shared, “It was a total game changer and a beautiful reminder that my kids are valuable as they are. It has influenced me to develop stronger family bonds and smoother communication between family members.”

Join our free Positive Discipline parenting class summer series!

Graduates of the program will receive the Positive Discipline book by Jane Nelson. Enroll today to secure your spot! Information on flyer.

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Parents Night Out - Friday March 22, 2024

Shoreline Covenant Church is hosting a Parents' Night Out event on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 5-8pm for any kids ages 3-10 years old.

 
There will be pizza, games, crafts, and a movie.

The suggested donation is $30/child or $50/family.

All the proceeds will go to cover the cost of our two summer trips: a week long high school conference and a middle school service and learning experience.

Parents can register their kids at this link

Donations can be made here

Shoreline Covenant Church 1330 N 185th St, Shoreline WA 98133

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Registration open for new class from Washington Institute for Parent Leadership and Advocacy

Get inspired to take action and make a difference in your community and in your child’s school! The Institute for Parent Leadership and Advocacy (IPLA) is a free online advocacy and civic participation course for Washington parents and those who work with families.

This 11-week, transformative, and empowering online course is based on social justice and will help you understand how Washington's local and state systems are structured, how you can become fully engaged in your community and public schools, speak confidently with decision-makers, and advocate for what matters most to you.”

Registration for The Washington Institute for Parent Leadership and Advocacy, session Spring 2024 is now open! Classes in English and Spanish start March 2, 2024. All classes are conducted online.

For more information and to apply, click here.

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Parenting your Trans Youth workshop January 27, 2024

A Shoreline church in collaboration with PFLAG Seattle will host a workshop for parents of transgender youth on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 3:00 to 4:30pm. 

To register and receive the event location, visit bit.ly/parentingyourtransyouth

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Attention: New parents who live near Echo Lake and Brookside Elementary schools

Calling All New Parents: An Invitation to Make a Difference

Hello Wonderful Families,

We hope this message finds you thriving as you navigate the early months of parenthood! You've heard us speak passionately about the Roots of Empathy program before, but this time, we're inviting you to be part of a legacy that’s been around for 16 years. 

If your baby is between 2-4 months old, this is a unique chance to enrich not only your lives but also those of elementary students in our community.

Why Roots of Empathy?

Roots of Empathy goes beyond the classroom to create nurturing environments by cultivating empathy and emotional intelligence in young minds. 

Your little one serves as the cornerstone of this transformational journey, offering real-world lessons in emotional literacy. 

And guess what? This isn’t just good for the community; it’s also good for your baby. Engaging with a classroom of curious students provides them with a wide array of social interactions that contribute to their own developmental milestones.

Research Based Social Emotional Learning Curriculum

We are thrilled to say that the benefits of Roots of Empathy are backed by studies from three different continents! Moreover, your participation doesn’t just change lives for a school year; the effects are lifelong and sustainable. 

Here is a brief introductory video that explains how Roots of Empathy works and why a baby is such a powerful teacher of empathy. Roots of Empathy was also featured on NBC’s Today – you can view that segment here.

How Do I Get Involved?

Eager to become a Roots of Empathy family? Fill out this quick contact form, and we'll be in touch. No commitment required at this point. We aim to make participation as convenient for you as possible by pairing you with schools close to your residence.

Schools in Need

Shoreline School District:

• Echo Lake Elementary
• Brookside Elementary

For additional details, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Angelica Friedmann, Program Manager at Roots of Empathy at 808-233-9170 and AFriedmann@RootsOfEmpathy.org

Thank You

Your decision to engage with Roots of Empathy has the power to sow seeds of compassion and understanding that will flourish for generations. Mahalo for considering this transformative journey with your newest family member.

With heartfelt appreciation,
The Roots of Empathy Team

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