Pierce County Early Childhood Court Program

We’re here for your baby. We’re here for you.

Amara partners with Pierce County Juvenile Court to support families who have infants, toddlers and/or preschool-age children in foster care by meeting more frequently to promote greater supports for families and children.

Why the Pierce County Early Childhood Program Works

“They have put my family back together.” Early Childhood Court, formerly known as Best for Babies, is an innovative, court-based program in Pierce County designed to ensure that infants and toddlers entering foster care receive support and services to promote secure attachment, safety, well-being, and an environment that supports early brain development with the goal to reunify families.

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What Parents Can Expect

By participating in this innovative court program, parents can expect:

To meet more frequently
Court hearings on a smaller docket with the same judge every 60 days
A collaborative team approach in family team meetings between court hearings
To discuss services needed for children to support attachment and healthy development
To be encouraged to share parenting with caregivers to support children
A community coordinator available as additional support

Who Is Involved?

Judge
Assistant Attorney General
Social Worker – dedicated workers in each office
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)/Child Advocate (CA)
Parent Attorneys
Caregivers (foster or relatives)
Community Coordinator (neutral party, there to support the team that supports the child and family)
Parent Ally (someone who has gone through the system before)
Providers/supports – Providers who are involved may be invited to meetings and parents are encouraged to bring anyone who is supporting them

How Can I Sign Up?

Talk with your attorney about joining. For more information about the program, contact:

Julie Hoffman | 253-777-3622 | julie@amarafamily.org
Kris Freeman | 253-798-7944 | kris.freeman@piercecountywa.gov

Related Programs

Pierce County Juvenile Court Program

Additional information can be found on our partner website – Pierce County Juvenile Court. Learn more about the Pierce County program.

Zero to Three

This program is a national Zero to Three site that utilizes their Safe Babies Court Team™ approach. Learn more about Zero to Three.

Pierce County had the first baby court in the state

We are proud of our partnership with Pierce County Juvenile Court to provide the Best for Babies program. It’s exciting to see new solutions to child welfare expanding across our state!

“‘It will transform you into the person that you want to be,’ Maefau said. ‘Because I never thought I could be the best mom that I am today. I felt, maybe someone else could do a better job than I can. Maybe I can’t do enough…But it’s possible. It is.’”