Encompass recently introduced a meaningful change as the Behavioral Health program shifts to a new name: Mental Health.

In this episode of our Parent Talks Podcast, we sit down with Encompass Mental Health Director Megan Walsh to learn more about the change, why it’s important, and what it means for the children and families we serve.

Serving children and families from birth to age 3, Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) is the Washington State program designed to be the first point of contact for families concerned about their child’s development. Whether it’s speech, motor, feeding, sleep, behavioral, social, or other developmental concerns, our ESIT team employs a collaborative caregiver-coaching model to support families in helping their children reach milestones.

In this month’s Parent Talks podcast, we sit down with ESIT Director Jessie Scanzon and Family Resource Coordinator Brooke Boevers to take a deep dive into understanding the ins and outs of the ESIT program and how it partners with families to build healthy foundations for children.

All children under 3 are entitled to a free developmental screening at no cost to the family. If you have questions about your child’s development, reach out to the Encompass ESIT team at 425-888-3347.

If you are outside the Encompass service area of the Issaquah, Riverview, Skykomish, or Snoqualmie Valley School Districts, contact the Washington State ESIT program at (800) 322-2588.

Don’t struggle. Call.

When the podcast team brainstorms a “Holiday Food” episode, it ‘might’ trigger some unresolved feelings for the host of our program. In this fun episode of our Parent Talks Podcast, Encompass Marketing and Communications Manager Caley George shares unpleasant memories about broccoli casserole and wonders if it's time to start doing better by our kids. Then he sits down with Encompass Speech-Language Therapist/Feeding Specialist Autumn Howard to cover a variety of topics related to the holiday dinner table including involving the kids with food prep and table setting, food presentation, serving sizes, trying new foods, the kids' table, and more!

Warning and apologies to all broccoli casserole fans: It takes a bit of a beating here. 😊

As kids get settled into a new school year, it’s not uncommon for some parents to notice their child is struggling in the classroom. While there may be a variety of reasons for this struggle, it’s important for parents to understand the resources available if they suspect their child needs extra support. In this month’s episode of our Parent Talks podcast, we explore IEPs, more commonly known as Individualized Education Plans, and 504 Plans. Sarah Lichtenberg from the Snoqualmie Valley PTSA Special Education and Disability Committee explains what they are, how they differ, and how parents might navigate the process if they feel their child needs additional support in the classroom.

Every year, the start of school brings an inevitable rush of e-flyers promoting a wide array of extracurricular activities for kids of all ages. The sheer quantity of options can be overwhelming for parents trying to decide what and how many activities their kids should be engaged in.

We tackle that very topic in this episode of our Parent Talks podcast. Our host and parent of two Caley George sits down with Encompass Speech-Language Pathologist and parent of two Missy Budworth to discuss “Extracurricular Activities and Your Family”. They will explore the balancing act for families and kids as well as the challenges and benefits that factor into the decision-making process when considering outside activities.

“When we shift the lens and start to look at [behaviors] as the signal rather than the target . . . we get so many more answers, and we really start to build connection and relationships.” Dr. Mona Delahooke

Encompass is honored to have Pediatric Psychologist Dr. Mona Delahooke on our Parent Talks podcast. As a speaker, trainer, and consultant, Dr. Delahooke has dedicated her career to promoting compassionate, relationship-based neurodevelopmental interventions for children with developmental, behavioral, emotional, and learning differences. Dr. Delahooke has provided collaborative workshops for Encompass and our Snoqualmie Valley partners around her books Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges, and Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behaviors and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids.

Encompass Behavioral Health Director Megan Walsh is a frequent guest on our podcast, but this month, she switched roles as she sat down to talk with Dr. Delahooke about “The Power of Connection – A Conversation with Mona Delahooke”.

Transitions. We all know them and we all experience them. Whether it's moving, having children, returning to the workforce, or any number of possibilities, these moments can be unsettling. In our latest Parent Talks podcast, we sit down with Encompass parent, writer, and speaker April Bennett, as well as Encompass Behavioral Health Director Megan Walsh, to discuss practical tips for navigating both the big and small transitions of life.

This spring, thousands of kids will register to begin kindergarten in the fall. While it’s an exciting time for both parents and students, it can also bring up many feelings of uncertainty. "Is my child ready?" "What can I do to help prepare them?" "How will kindergarten be different from preschool?"

To help answer these questions, we are throwing it back to our "Ready for Kindergarten" Parent Talks Podcast where Encompass Lead Preschool Teacher Sarah Holmes and veteran Kindergarten Teacher Deona Kim answer these questions and more!