Wonderland has been an advocate for children and families for more than 50 years, and our work has helped shape the Early Support system as it exists in our state today.
Now, we’re continuing that tradition by working to make sure the impacts of prenatal substance exposure (PSE) are understood and fully recognized so those affected are able to receive the therapy and support they need to thrive.
A Major Win for Early Intervention in Washington State
We are proud to share strong news from this year’s Washington State legislative session: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) has been fully funded in the final state budget.
This outcome is not only significant—it is a hard-won victory.
Earlier in the session, ESIT faced a proposed 17% reduction in funding, a cut that would have had a profound impact on children and families across Washington. Thanks to coordinated advocacy efforts across the state, that proposal was successfully defeated, and ESIT funding was preserved.
We are deeply grateful to the many advocates, partners, and community members—including Wonderland staff, families, and supporters—who showed up, spoke out, and helped protect this essential program. Advocacy Day in Olympia and ongoing outreach played a critical role in ensuring legislators understood the importance of early intervention services.
For the families we serve at Wonderland, ESIT is often the first connection point to care, resources, and community. Continued investment in this program ensures that children with developmental delays and disabilities—and their caregivers—receive support at the earliest and most impactful stages of life.
This early support is deeply connected to the work of Hope Rising Clinic. Many of the children and families we serve come through early intervention systems like ESIT, and we see firsthand how critical early identification is—especially for children impacted by prenatal substance exposure (PSE) and other brain-based differences. When families are connected to services early, they are better equipped with the tools, understanding, and advocacy skills needed to support their children over time.
At the same time, we recognize that this was a challenging budget year, and not all programs and organizations received the funding they need. We stand alongside our partners across the state who continue to navigate uncertainty, and we remain committed to working together to strengthen the broader system of care for children and families.
This work is interconnected. The strength of our system depends on a network of organizations, advocates, and families all working toward the same goal: ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Today, we celebrate this important win—and we remain committed to continuing this work together.
Thank you for being part of a community that believes in early support, equitable access to care, and strong outcomes for all children and families.
National Update: FASD Respect Act Signed into Law
In 2025, the FASD Respect Act was signed into law, marking the most significant federal investment in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in nearly two decades. The legislation expands prevention, diagnosis, and coordinated care efforts nationwide.
This progress reflects growing recognition of the needs of children and families impacted by prenatal substance exposure—work that Hope Rising Clinic is advancing locally through clinical care, caregiver education, and professional training.
Hope Rising Clinic offers assessment for Prenatal Substance Exposure (PSE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), but what does that mean? Unfortunately, it means very little if it isn’t recognized by social service agencies or medical providers as a condition needing attention, therapy, and support. That’s why recognition of the effects of prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, and inclusion in public policy, are so vital.
We know the trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy and support families receive at Hope Rising Clinic changes lives, but we can’t meet the demand for these services alone. So we’re taking what we’ve learned to the halls of Olympia and fighting for the recognition and funding necessary to ensure all children in our state have the opportunity to live full, happy lives.
In January of 2023, House Bill 1168 was introduced to begin expanding prenatal substance exposure services for families across Washington State. We are thrilled to share that this legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously, and was signed into law on May 4th, 2023, by Governor Jay Inslee.
Prenatal substance exposure is sometimes called a “silent epidemic” because stigma and shame have led to the isolation of many families. Community education on the effects and impacts of PSE is an important first step in building support for children and families who have struggled alone for far too long.
