Taking Steps Together

05/22/2026

A huge thank you to United Way of San Juan County for supporting Steps and the families we serve across the San Juan Islands.

Through this funding, Steps is able to help reduce barriers to care by bringing in home early support services directly to island families. Our providers travel by ferry to deliver developmental education, therapy, and family support where children learn best, in the comfort of their natural environments.

Access to specialized early childhood services can be difficult in rural island communities, and we are deeply grateful for United Way’s partnership in helping ensure families can receive the support they need, regardless of geography. 💜

05/19/2026

💸 Today is Ben Franklin Day at Orcas Island Community Foundation

For those who may not be familiar with us, Steps provides in-home early support services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Our therapists, educators, and family support specialists travel throughout Whidbey Island, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands to work directly with families in their homes and daily routines.🏡

Since expanding into San Juan County in 2019, we’ve been grateful to support Orcas Island families by bringing services directly to them, helping reduce the challenges that can come with travel and access to specialized care in rural communities. 💜⛴️

If you’ve been thinking about supporting Steps through GiveOrcas, today is a great day to make your gift count even more!

https://GiveOrcas.org

Thank you for welcoming us into the island community and for supporting children and families on Orcas.🩷

05/14/2026

Access to care is a crucial component of Steps' mission to support young children with disabilities and developmental delays and their families on Whidbey Island, Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. Our pediatric and family support specialist travel across three counties to serve families directly in their homes.💜🏡

⛴️Time and travel to reach our families is costly and Steps relies on grants and philanthropic support to bridge the funding gap.

🎉This year, we are thrilled to be included in the Orcas Island Community Foundation Spring Giving Campaign at https://GiveOrcas.org Every donation made today helps boost our chances of winning additional Unique Donor Day funding!

05/14/2026

🍕Did you know? THIS FRIDAY, May 15th, is National Pizza Party Day!

Let's celebrate and raise some dough for a Steps at MOD Pizza, in Oak Harbor.

Present this flyer, use our online code, or mention Steps at checkout, and 20% of your purchase will directly support Steps and the families we serve. See you there!🩷

05/02/2026

🎸𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 for Steps third annual ROCK 'n' ROLL STROLL 5K family fun walk/run on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱𝘁𝗵 and we can't wait to see you there!

😎You are invited to bring the whole family, don your favorite rock star attire, enjoy kids' activities, and let loose on our picturesque 5k waterfront route at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor, on beautiful Whidbey Island.

👶🏽𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 — 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝟭/𝟮 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲!
We’re excited to introduce a free Baby Steps 1/2 mile route, perfect for our youngest participants and their families. Strollers, tiny sneakers, and wobbly walkers of all ages are all welcome.

🎵After strolling with us, make your way to SE Pioneer Way to continue the fun at the Oak Harbor Music Festival!

All proceeds go towards early support services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays. Together we can ensure local families receive the necessary therapy, education, and resources to promote their child's optimal growth and development.
💜𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀!

04/30/2026

Thank you Whidbey Community Foundation for your support of Steps and the families we serve!🩷

STEPS provides early intervention services for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, working closely with families to support healthy development during the most critical early years. Their team offers therapies, education, and family-centered support that help children build the skills they need to thrive—at home, in school, and in the broader community.

WCF recently welcomed STEPS to our office to learn more about how they’re preparing for the future through thoughtful leadership planning. This year, they received a Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant from the Whidbey Community Foundation to support executive succession planning—an important investment in the long-term stability of their work with children experiencing developmental delays.

Read more on our blog: https://www.whidbeyfoundation.org/steps-planning-for-the-future/

04/13/2026

✨ 2:00 PM Session | Resources & Planning for the Future

What does real support actually look like at home, in school, and beyond?
Meet the🍦“Triple Scoop”🍦
Three professionals with 50+ years of combined experience who also bring lived experience as parents. This panel offers honest insight, practical guidance, and real-world perspective on navigating systems and planning ahead.
Featuring:
• Tiffany Wheeler-Thompson : Island County Parent to Parent
• Mike Etzell : Island County Developmental Disabilities Program
• Susan Armstrong : Oak Harbor Public Schools Exceptional Academy

💡 From day-to-day support to long-term planning, this session is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

📍 Autism Community Connections Summit
🗓 April 18th, 2026
⏰ Session at 2:00 PM
📍 The Center, Oak Harbor

12/30/2025

Early support within reach means infants and toddlers can learn, grow, and build strong foundations without families having to leave their island communities.🏠

There are 𝟐 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, and every gift helps keep in-home early support available across Whidbey Island, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands.
https://takingstepstogether.org/donate/

𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮.💜

Happy New Year from all of us here at Steps!🎉