Early Childhood Courts
Early Childhood Courts (ECC) address the root causes of dependency court system involvement through specialized dockets, multidisciplinary teams, and a strengths-based collaborative approach. Offering evidence-based treatment, judicial monitoring, and accountability, these courts provide individualized interventions for families with young children, thereby improving child safety and well-being.
Early Childhood Courts follow the ZERO TO THREE Safe Babies Court Team™ approach, a community engagement and systems-change initiative focused on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare and child-serving organizations work together to serve young children and their families involved in the child welfare system. The Safe Babies Court Team™ approach applies the science of early childhood development in meeting the urgent needs of infants and toddler and strengthening their families. SBCT approach is guided by a strategic framework that identifies five focus areas that are inclusive of the ten core components.
Core Components
The ten Core Components of the Safe Babies Court Team Approach are key to produce the environment and the tools for systemic change. The Core Components work together to produce the best outcomes of children an their parents while increasing access and equity within the system.
Early Childhood Courts in Washington
In Washington State, more than half of all dependency cases involve children aged birth to five years old. Research has proven that the most rapid period of brain development occurs during this time period and impacts every aspect of a child’s future, including academic performance, behavior and mental health. Many courts recognize the challenges and the opportunities that this presents, and several Washington State dependency courts have focused their efforts on better serving young children and their families.
SB 5331 also established statewide standards of practice for ECCs, with racial equity, parent voice, child-parent relationships and safe reunification at the center. AOC was given the role of supporting and evaluating ECC courts to align their practice with the core components of the law. FYJP works in partnership with partnership with the Center for Children & Youth Justice to provide technical assistance and training support to Washington ECCs.
MISSION: To promote lasting, positive outcomes for parents, infants, and toddlers in the child welfare system by transforming the court process to be parent-centered, relationship-based, racially and culturally equitable, and collaborative.
VISION: Parents, infants, and toddlers are safe, healthy and thriving in communities where equity, relationships, and collaboration are celebrated.
VALUES: Collaboration, Community, Empowerment, Hope, Relationship, Integrity
Current Sites
Pierce County has led the way in Washington with the Best for Babies Program.
In 2021 the passage of SB 5331 created funding for the implementation of three new ECCs in Kitsap County, Thurston County, and Spokane County. This legislation standardized ECCs across WA to align with research-based core components known to provide positive outcomes for babies, toddlers, and their families.
Clark County is exploring installing the ECC approach.
If you have any questions or challenges accessing the recordings, please contact Rachel Munoz-McCormick, Rachel.Munoz-McCormick@courts.wa.gov
