Important updates about COVID-19 and how we can serve you

Join WithinReach for a Weeklong Series of Community Conversations from May 8-12!

WithinReach is excited to host a spring learning series, Early Support is Community Care, May 8 through 12. This broad theme is intentional and has allowed us to connect and collaborate with some amazing people across Washington State! Over the course of the week, you will hear from community leaders who will cover important topics such as parent mentoring; promoting positive mental health in infants, toddlers, and their caregivers; the health disparities Black, Indigenous and families of color face and supportive community programs; developmental milestones and questions to ask your provider; and school readiness. This is a virtual event that is FREE to attend and open to all community members!

Event Schedule

Monday, May 8 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

The Importance of Peer-To-Peer Support in the First Year – Register for this session

This session will focus on the importance of peer-to-peer support in the first year of parenthood. NurtureNW’s evidence-supported approach connects new parents/caregivers with experienced mentors to help guide them through the complex beginnings of parenthood/caregiving. NurtureNW makes a distinct effort to match parents and caregivers with mentors that share identities and lived experiences.

Monday, May 8 | 1:15 – 2:15 pm

Amplifying Ancestral Practices: Decolonization as Community Health Care – Register for this session

In this session Lactation Specialist, Elizabeth Montez, will be focusing on the history of birthing practices in Indigenous community and how they have been impacted by colonialism. She will also be talking about how we, as a community, can create systemic change around lactation to include and honor Indigenous heritage and practices.

Tuesday, May 9 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Early Mental Health Panel – Register for this session

This expert panel of health services professionals will cover a wide range of topics within the early mental health realm. Some of the topics that will be covered include: the importance of positive childhood experiences and their impact on child mental health, emphasizing the importance of parent/caregiver mental health in the first few years, early relational health and reading cues, and other information about developmental milestones.

Wednesday, May 10 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Providing Black Families with Culturally Responsive Holistic Care – Register for this session

This session will focus on the support and services that Black families need through their reproductive, perinatal, postpartum, lactation and parenting journeys. Speakers Damarria and Jessy will discuss health disparities faced by Black families with a focus on Black infants and their birth parents. BLKBRY uses culturally responsive, evidence and practiced-based intervention to mitigate the impacts of structural racism. Their care uses a holistic approach, and this session will dive further into what holistic practices are available to Black families and their benefits.

  • Damarria Davis (she/her), BLKBRY
  • Jessy Trevizo (she/her/ella), BLKBRY

Wednesday, May 10 | 1:15 – 2:15 pm

Supporting Black Families in Early Childhood Education – Register for this session

This session will answer the questions, “How can our community create action that can close the gap in care for Black mothers?” and “How can we understand and hear the concerns about Black mothers during the postpartum period?” Stephaine will also focus on resources available to doulas and how we can support health workers as a community. Stephaine leads The Learning Project whose mission is to advocate on behalf of underserved families throughout Eastern Washington. They serve as a multi-purpose educational hub for educators, childcare and health care providers.

Thursday, May 11 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

A Conversation with WithinReach – Register for this session

Join us for a panel-style conversation with some of the staff at WithinReach! At WithinReach our priority is to provide programs and services that benefit families in Washington State with an emphasis on supporting marginalized communities. This session will also feature a Q&A section.

  • Chris Gray (she/her)
  • Brandon Hallock (he/him)
  • Camille Schultz (she/her)
  • Carina Gonzalez (she/her)

Friday, May 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Early Childhood Development and the Importance of Creating a Village – Register for this session

This session will focus on what to look for in a quality childcare center, what questions to ask of potential care providers, how to show up for your community in a meaningful way, and the importance of building a village of support. Kerra runs the RAZE Early Learning & Development Center which seeks to eradicate the school to prison pipeline in Eastern Washington through early learning programming that highlights our shared experiences and is created through the lens of the Black American.