Vashon Youth & Family Services supports
Island families in raising happy and healthy children!

“Parenting is surprisingly tough. Vashon Youth & Family Services
parenting series provides the breath of fresh air I need
to approach our day-to-day lives creatively.”
- Island Parent attending VYFS Family Matters classes

Registration and information: Please contact Birth to Six Coordinator, Lori Means at lmeans@vyfs.org for information about current Parent University offerings and family activities.

Parent Coaching

“Thanks very much for your helpful parent coaching consultation.
My kids and I are enthusiastic about our visible progress!”
- Island Parent

Vashon Youth & Family Services now offers Parent Coaching. Meet individually with one of our great Parent Coaches offering support, information, new strategies and a fresh perspective on the challenges we all face in parenting! Work with your Coach to build and practice important parenting skills, covering a range of topics such as resolving sleep issues; managing discipline concerns; dealing with homework struggles; reducing single parent stress levels; developing clear family expectations; effective limit setting with teen; and more. With the help of a Parent Coach, you can get on with the joys of parenting and be the kind of parent you want to be!

By appointment.
Fee: $40/hour or sliding scale fee.
Call 463-5511 or email lmeans@vyfs.org for scheduling appointments or to get more information.

Parent Chat Groups

Baby Group
Playgroup chat group for parents of children infant through walker age. Facilitated, group directed conversations on parenting related challenges and celebrations, incorporating the "Make Parenting a Pleasure" materials. Monthly, informational lectures from guest speakers, too.

Meets weekly on Fridays, 12:30 to 2 pm, at the Playspace (top of Gorsuch Rd/previously YMCA).
Fee: $65.00 (sliding scale fee available)

Toddler Group
Continuation of the facilitated, group directed conversations on parenting related challenges and celebrations, incorporating the "promising practices" of the Make Parenting a Pleasure curriculum. Guest lectures continue on a monthly basis. Childcare is provided.

Meets weekly on Wednesdays, 3 to 4:30pm, at the Playspace (top of Gorsuch Rd.).
Fee: $60.00 (sliding scale fee available)

Fall and Spring sessions available for both Baby Group (13 to 18 weeks) and Toddler Group (14 weeks). To register a space for you and your child, please contact lmeans@vyfs.org or call (206) 463-5511.

Parent-Child Playgroups

Weekly Playgroup Sessions
Child directed playtime in our safe and age appropriate playroom for children under 3 (4th birthday) with parent or caregiver supervision. Open for Monday weekly session, Wednesday weekly session, or Friday weekly session from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Playspace (top of Gorsuch Rd.).

Each session runs 13 to 19 weeks and open/re-start each Spring and Fall.
Fee: $60.00/child/session (sliding scale fee available)
To register a space for you and your child, please contact lmeans@vyfs.org or call (206) 463-5511.

Vashon MeetUp Group
VYFS Vashon Babe and Toddler Meetup Group offers local parents and caregivers a chance to meet, talk about kids, and have fun! Come to a Meetup to share experiences, find advice, give support, and make new friends. Please click the link to see current open sessions and to RSVP for you and your child to attend!

Parent University Classes and Workshops

From Partners to Parents (formerly Bringing Baby Home)
This workshop series features Gottman Institute's research and is designed for couples who are expecting a child or have recently given birth (third trimester through age 1). Series addresses challenges related to the transition from being a couple to partner parenting. Five sessions.

New series is currently forming.
Fee: Grant Funded, so there is no cost to participants.
To register a space for you and your child, please contact lmeans@vyfs.org or call (206) 463-5511.

Incredible Years Parenting Program
Best practices parenting program for parents of children ages 2 to 10 years old. Focus is upon relationship building and development of positive approaches to behavior management. Childcare provided if necessary. Series runs in 12 week sessions.

Fall and Spring series sessions available.
Fee: $50.00 (sliding scale fee available).
To register a space for you and your child, please contact lmeans@vyfs.org or call (206) 463-5511.

Incredible Years for Latino Families
Sally Adams will be offering best practices parenting program for Spanish speaking families. Series runs in 12 week sessions. One series session per year. We are currently forming first session list of interested families. Please call to get on session list. (206) 463-5511.

Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS) offers a wide range of services including Counseling, Therapeutic Groups, Anger Management Classes, Prevention Services, Life Skills Education, VIVA, JobFind for adults, Parent University, and more!

Some of our programs are especially for families, children, or youth, but most of our programs are open to individual adults, and individuals are welcome to participate. Many of our programs are offered at no charge; others are offered on a sliding scale basis or may be fully covered by Medicaid or partially covered by insurance. With advance notice, we can provide interpreters for sign language, hearing impairment, or non-English speaking clients using our counseling services. We are pleased to be a United Way of King County agency.

Mailing Address:
Vashon Youth & Family Services
PO Box 237
Vashon, WA 98070

Send email inquiry to: info@vyfs.org

Stop by in person at: 20110 Vashon Hwy SW (on the VHS campus)