Matthias helps Williams learn new and beneficial ways to interact with Kayden, and assesses the toddler’s development.

Matthias helps Williams learn new and beneficial ways to interact with Kayden, and assesses the toddler’s development.

Everett nonprofit mentors parents to be teachers

Kayden Williams grabbed a red plastic shovel. Holding it in his chubby toddler hand, he dug into a makeshift sandbox — a container filled with cornmeal.

“Oh fun,” said his mom, Betty Williams, 20. Her little boy smiled and dumped cornmeal onto a dropcloth spread on the floor of their Everett apartment.

Visiting the young family Wednesday, Adrienne Matthias watched Kayden manipulate other toys in the box, and spill more cornmeal. “You’re pouring,” Matthias said to Kayden.

Her visit was more than a social call. Matthias is a parent educator and supervisor of Parents as Teachers, a program offered by the Everett-based nonprofit ChildStrive.

Kayden’s fun afternoon with the messy yellow stuff was more than playtime.

After asking Williams if 19-month-old Kayden is using words — “he’s getting there,” the mom said — Matthias explained that the “sensory box” helps introduce a child to new textures and shapes, and builds muscle control. “Even just dumping it out helps pre-math skills,” she said.

Parents as Teachers is a national program that mentors parents through home visits. Most families are seen twice a month. Along with helping support parenting skills, the educator does developmental screenings and connects vulnerable families with resources.

To be eligible for the program, which is free to families, a parent must be pregnant or have a child up to 18 months old; be willing to participate for two years; and have challenges that may include homelessness or housing instability, low income, chemical dependency, mental illness, domestic violence or involvement with Child Protective Services.

The Boeing Co. recently awarded ChildStrive a two-year grant of $50,000 to support Parents as Teachers.

“We really see ChildStrive as an anchor provider of quality early learning services in Snohomish County,” said Caroline Maillard, community investor for eduction with Boeing’s Global Corporate Citizenship-NW Region.

The program helps parents “be their child’s best first teachers,” Maillard said.

Kathleen Lefcourt, marketing manager for ChildStrive, said Parents as Teachers is now helping about 30 families. “We have capacity to serve more,” she said. The program has funding for up to 42 families from Everett, Lake Stevens or Marysville.

“With the Boeing grant, we hope to expand the program to other areas across the county and increase the age of children served,” Lefcourt said.

Many parents come to the program through referrals from Housing Hope, Catholic Community Services, Cocoon House or other social service agencies.

Williams, who was 16 when her now 4-year-old daughter Sharmi was born, lived for a time at the Everett Gospel Mission Women &Children’s Shelter. She and her boyfriend, Bryan Cox, are expecting another baby.

The family lives at New Century Village, a low-income complex operated by Housing Hope. Williams and Cox graduated together from Everett’s Sequoia High School. She is nearly finished with a medical assistant program at Everest College.

She works as a paid intern at the ReNewWorks Home and Decor Store in Everett. The shop on Broadway is operated by the Housing Hope affiliate HopeWorks Social Enterprises. Days are beyond busy as Williams cares for Kayden, takes her daughter to a Head Start preschool program, works and studies.

“When I was younger, I kind of fell into the wrong crowd. I had stopped going to school,” she said. “Once I found out I was pregnant, I was done with that. I went to Sequoia and graduated.”

The young mom looks forward to Matthias’ visits. “She works with my hectic schedule,” Williams said.

While Kayden scooped cornmeal with a shovel, Matthias said that each visit includes an activity, plus a conversation about child development. “We talk about discipline, sleep, coping with stress, and family well-being,” she said.

There are screenings to gauge a tot’s communication and motor skills, emotional development and problem solving.

Matthias brings her expertise, along with activities for Kayden. She answers questions, offers meal ideas and other advice. Most of all, she gives a mother a boost of confidence.

“We want to look at the strengths of every family,” Matthias said. And with a smile at Williams, she added “You’re the expert on your child, not me.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Learn more

ChildStrive (formerly Little Red School House) is a nonprofit organization based at Children’s Village, 14 E. Casino Road in Everett. It supports families with children, 18 months to 5 years old, who have disabilities, delays or are at risk for delays. Among its programs are: Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, Play &Learn groups, parent classes and more. For more information, go to www.childstrive.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.