Washington Leaders Shine at the 2025 Parents as Teachers International Conference

Washington’s Parents as Teachers network was well represented at this year’s conference. Vanessa Gudino, Parent Educator, and Vanessa Frias, Community Health Services Program Manager, from Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic’s Parents as Teachers Affiliate, delivered an outstanding workshop showcasing the power of collaboration between their PAT team and their Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee. Their session illustrated how family voice and leadership can be elevated through intentional partnerships—drawing a room full of engaged participants and earning high praise, with one attendee sharing, “This is one of the best sessions I’ve attended.”

The conference also featured the Parents as Teachers Indigenous Outcomes Learning Community during the PAT Indigenous Learning and Partnership session, which brought together Tribal affiliates from Hawaii, Washington state, North Dakota, and New Mexico. They were joined by research and evaluation partners, state leads, and facilitation teams from INPEACE / Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, Start Early Washington, Suquamish Tribe’s Changing Tides, Helping Hands Home Visiting Program, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Home Visiting Program and Healthy Family. Strong Communities from Native American Professional Parent Resources (NAPPR).

The Learning Community’s goal is to deepen understanding of Indigenous communities implementing Parents as Teachers and to reflect that learning in the services and supports provided to Indigenous families. Rooted in PAT’s core values—learning and growth, relationships, community responsiveness, integrity, and accountability—the Learning Community also centers its work on valuing Indigenous knowledge, authenticity, enduring commitment, impactful collaboration, and advancing Indigenous self-determination. During the session, participants explored themes of meeting with intention, creating a shared vision, and building infrastructure for cultural integration, strengthening and sustaining meaningful partnerships that honor and uplift Indigenous families and communities.

Congratulations to the presenters and Washington State PAT team members for their leadership, innovation, and dedication to providing quality services, supporting families, and building strong partnerships that embody the spirit of “Reaching New Heights.”