The Imagine Institute

IMAGINE U:Imagine U is a relationship-based mentorship program designed to increase the number of licensed family child care providers who can care for children in Washington State. Imagine U pairs experienced and talented licensed child care providers with those interested in becoming licensed, and offers both the mentor and intern support to help them grow professionally. As interns progress through the program, they complete assignments such as cost benefit analyses, budgets, program policies and practice licensing visits while also working 20 hours per month in their mentor's child care facilities. At the conclusion of the program, successful participants receive a bonus to invest in their child care businesses. Imagine U's peer-to-peer model honors the knowledge and skill that exists in the field and helps ensure that new providers can benefit from their mentor's expertise.

WASHINGTON STATE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SUBSTITUTE POOL:Since its inception, the WA State ECE Substitute Pool has distributed millions of dollars in substitute relief funding to hundreds of licensed family childcare and childcare centers throughout Washington State. As part of administering the substitute pool, the Imagine Institute provides training and orientation to community members so that they can become approved to work as a substitute, increasing the number of ECE workers in Washington State. The Imagine Institute also provides technical assistance to both substitutes and providers to assist them in effectively participating in the program.

TAO :As a result of the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, Washington State provided child care stabilization grants to eligible providers. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) contracted with the Imagine Institute to provide technical assistance (TA) and outreach to all eligible child care providers to ensure equitable access to grant funding. DCYF subsequently expanded Imagine's services to include support for the Complex Needs Fund and the Early Childhood Equity Grant. This department is dedicated to supporting the Child Care workers of Washington State by providing various technical assistants.

All other programs.