Trauma-informed care involves an understanding of the impact of trauma on physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as on behaviors and engagement in services. A healing-centered approach expands how we think about responses to trauma—it is strength-based, advances a collective view of healing, and re-centers family culture as a central feature in well-being.

CHERISH 0-3 is an Early Support program for children living in out-of-home placements or in-home dependencies. A provider meets with a child and their caregiver and/or parent 1-4 times/month, depending on need, until a child turns three years old. Supports for each child and family are individualized, but our therapists take a dyadic approach, so a parent or caregiver is always present during sessions.

Services for children 0–3 are provided by Early Support agencies serving families in Washington state. To get started, contact one of the agencies listed here directly or submit an online referral, and a CHERISH Program Coordinator will respond to you with next steps as soon as possible.

CHERISH 3-5™ is a mental health program using an approach based on Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP, a relationship-based trauma-informed treatment model) for serving children 3-5 years old who are living in foster care, in-home dependencies, or out of home placements in King County. We support children’s emotional health, development, and relationships with the adults in their lives through work with parents, foster parents, and relative caregivers, as well as child welfare systems work. CHERISH 3-5 is a voluntary service provided at no cost to families through one-hour home (or community) visits, at least twice monthly, with a qualified masters-level therapist.

To inquire about services, submit an online referral and a CHERISH team member will respond to you with next steps as soon as possible.

Visits with a CHERISH provider occur in a child’s natural environment (home or community setting) whenever possible, or virtually as needed.