When Stephen Cockrell steps into a ParentChild+ site, he doesn’t arrive as a distant national leader, he arrives curious, energized, and ready to listen.
Since joining ParentChild+ as Chief Executive Officer this past September, Stephen has been traveling to communities across the country, reconnecting with a model he first encountered in 2013 while working in Birmingham, Alabama to identify promising early learning practices. Even then, ParentChild+ stood out. The relationship-based approach and its potential for true community transformation resonated deeply. Now, more than a decade later and a father himself, Stephen says he sees his own family reflected in the work. “It feels like the next right step,” he shared.
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive the latest early learning program and policy news in Washington state.
As a 60-year old, evidence-based organization serving families nationwide, ParentChild+ continues to grow through partnerships like those in Washington state.
That spirit was on full display during his recent visit to Washington state, where he met with ParentChild+ providers and leaders across King County. Sitting in conversation with coordinators and home visitors, Stephen heard firsthand about the realities families are navigating and the intentional, relationship-driven ways Washington teams respond. He noted the depth of trust providers have built in their communities, the cultural and linguistic responsiveness woven into visits, and the strong partnership between local sites and statewide leadership. What stood out most was the balance: a clear commitment to model fidelity alongside the creativity and adaptability needed to meet families where they are. “There is such a rich and nuanced understanding of how to do this work well, and how to do it well here,” he reflected.
Sheila Ater Capestany, SEWA Executive Director, Stephen Cockrell, ParentChild+ CEO, Washington state team members Pamela Willams, Marcella Taylor and Khadija Morgan
Before ParentChild+, Stephen led the Fund for New York City Public Schools, raising more than $130 million to support citywide initiatives and launch innovative pilots such as ArtsHub and the PATH program for students with disabilities. He previously headed The 74 Media, launched the KIPP Alumni Leadership Accelerator at the KIPP Foundation, and helped design a cradle-to-career education pipeline at the Woodlawn Foundation. Across these roles, one theme has remained constant: partnership fuels progress. In Washington, he saw that ethos in action, a culture of candor and transparency, grounded in a shared focus on what benefits children and families.
Looking ahead five years, Stephen envisions ParentChild+ as the organization of choice for home visiting and home-based child care quality: universally respected for both program excellence and authentic connection. His goal, he shared, is to build structures that amplify local voices like those he heard in King County, while creating the guardrails and support that enable continued growth and national impact. And when asked what he hopes for every child born in 2026, his answer remains simple and powerful: safety, security, opportunity, and hope.
Washington State Hub
Learn more about our work in Washington state and access relevant resources and publications.
