Southwest Early Learning

Southwest Early Learning (SWEL) is the early learning network representing, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and South Pacific Counties since 2017. SWEL is one of 10 regional networks in Washington State organized as Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) Washington Communities For Children. We are dedicated to improving the well-being of children, families, and communities.  We have trusted partnerships that include early learning providers, social service agencies, early intervention services, child welfare organizations, libraries, school districts, public health agencies, higher education, families, and many others.

What do we do?  We foster learning, connections, and collaborations across the region with a particular focus on each of the following component areas: Data, Child Care Voice, Equity, Family Voice, Health Provider Voice, Policy & Advocacy, and Resource Navigation & Access.

If you would like to know more about or join a Learning Network, please contact the Network Specialist for each component area.

DATA

The Southwest Regional Data Learning Network is focused on assessing existing data to inform continuous early childhood resource system improvement and exploring opportunities for alignment across data systems. We work with the State Data Learning Network to produce the annual State of Our Children report.  Click on this link to view the most recent State of Children report insert the link to the data report.  If you are interested in learning more, please email Debbie Ham at [email protected].

FAMILY VOICE

Regionally the Family Voice Learning Network focused on promoting strategies to connect families with young children to the resources they need when they need them. We are committed to emphasizing family and community voice in system co-design efforts, especially for those most impacted by system inequities.  If you’d like to learn more, please email Debbie Ham at [email protected].

HEALTH PROVIDER VOICE

The regional Health Provider Voice Learning Network co-designs strategies to connect child and family health providers with one another and the community, to strengthen referral pathways, and remove barriers for families accessing services. We work to advance and support systems change and policy change as it relates to supporting all families in healthcare settings. If you would like to participate in this network please contact Jan Schmalenberger [email protected] or Kelly Watanabe [email protected].

EQUITY

The regional Equity Learning Network is focused on identifying and implementing frameworks, tools, and strategies to embed equity in our regional network and early childhood resource system. For more information contact Tanya Hutton [email protected].

POLICY & ADVOCACY

The Southwest Regional Policy & Advocacy Learning Network is focused on identifying and advocating for resources and policies that improve the well-being of children, families, and communities. For more information, please contact Sabrina Kochprapha [email protected].

RESOURCE NAVIGATION & ACCESS

The regional Resource Navigation & Access Learning Network is focused on learning how we can build a regional system of resources for children, their families, and organizations, collaborating to improve resource navigation and remove barriers for families.  For more information, please contact Jodi Wall at [email protected].