About Us : History

SELF is a collaborative of supporting organizations in Southwest Washington that are like minded in the care and nurture of children, ages 0 to 5 years of age. SELF is a network of community members working together to serve children's needs and is a clearinghouse and resource center for valuable information.

SELF's primary goal is to prepare our youngest children for success in school and life – building an early learning system for Clark County. More than 5,000 babies are born into Clark County Families each year. Each child starts their life ready to learn and grow, seeking to reach their full potential in the world. Parents, family members and the entire community provide essential supports to nurture each child’s success.

Clark County is building an early learning system that affirms parents as a child’s first teacher, that enhances the quality of early learning care and that prepares children for success in school and life. This effort is guided by Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF), a community collaboration founded in 2001 by five agencies that now involves a diverse group of community partners.

SELF has a compelling vision: Clark County is a place where our youngest children are valued, the community makes a significant investment of time and financial resources for our youngest children, the children enter kindergarten ready to succeed and the early learning and public school systems are closely woven and interdependent.