On Wednesday, I toured the Pediatric Interim Care Middle in Kent. There was no media, no speeches — only a bipartisan group strolling by way of a spot that has devoted 35 years to quietly saving lives.
It might have been a ultimate go to. Except one thing adjustments by Monday, PICC will shut its doorways for good. Not as a result of it failed. Not as a result of the necessity disappeared. However as a result of our state authorities selected to let it die — by way of ideology, indifference and a single veto.
PICC focuses on caring for newborns affected by drug withdrawal. These are infants born into agony — their our bodies trembling, their cries uncooked and guttural. PICC gently nurses them by way of probably the most painful days of their lives. The common keep is 30 to 40 days. The outcomes are exceptional.
For many years, PICC acquired about $700,000 per yr in state help — a fraction of the state’s $70 billion-plus finances. The remaining got here from non-public donors, neighborhood help and nonprofit companions. This yr, Democratic finances writers stripped that funding. Republicans pushed to revive it. After bipartisan negotiation, $100,000 was included within the ultimate finances — simply sufficient to purchase yet another yr and create a long-term plan.
Gov. Bob Ferguson vetoed it.
Even after the veto, PICC might need survived. However the Division of Kids, Youth, and Households terminated PICC’s contract — the settlement that enables hospitals and state providers to position infants there. With out it, PICC can’t take infants, no matter what number of beds are open or how pressing the necessity.
This determination got here with out warning. No criticism, no violation, no session. Regardless of invitation, the governor by no means visited. Then he vetoed their final probability — and mentioned nothing whereas DCYF severed the lifeline.
Behind the scenes, state officers provide weak justifications. DCYF suggests the care middle is “outdated” or inconsistent with “finest practices.” However that declare falls aside below scrutiny.
PICC makes use of trendy, evidence-based care fashions — together with “Eat, Sleep, Console.” It avoids overmedication. In 35 years, Narcan has been wanted solely as soon as. It presents prolonged visitation, resort vouchers for households and structured help. The ability even tried in a single day stays till these led to harmful incidents, together with on-site drug use and an tried toddler abduction by a father or mother below the affect.
PICC’s insurance policies aren’t to punish dad and mom. They’re to guard infants.
However DCYF has modified. Since its formation in 2017, and particularly after the 2021 Conserving Households Collectively Act, the division has embraced a inflexible ideology that prioritizes reunification at nearly any value, even when dad and mom are actively utilizing meth or fentanyl. This ideology has fueled a tripling of kid deaths and close to deaths within the first quarter of 2025 in comparison with the identical interval final yr — over half on account of fentanyl.
If PICC closes, these infants will probably be despatched to overstimulating hospitals at 10 occasions the price — or worse, positioned again in properties the place substances are used.
PICC wasn’t constructed by bureaucrats. It was constructed by individuals who care. Founder Barb Drennen devoted her life to it. Through the years, she was joined by a bipartisan coalition of supporters: pediatricians, police chiefs, native officers. Former Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and others. Each rocking chair, each crib, each element of that facility is a testomony to function, compassion and neighborhood.
This isn’t a name for cash. PICC is able to function for one more yr — with none new state funding — if their contract is restored.
The one factor required is management. Particularly, Gov. Ferguson and DCYF Secretary Tana Senn should reinstate the PICC’s contract. That alone would give us time to regroup, to seek out options, to do proper by the scores of infants nonetheless being born into habit on this state.
If PICC closes on Monday, let the file present it was not for lack of care. Not for lack of want. Not for lack of donors. And positively not for lack of affection.
It was due to one man’s veto. One company’s silence. And a failure of conscience on the highest ranges of state authorities.
The Pediatric Interim Care Middle deserves higher. Barb Drennen deserves higher.
And above all, the infants do. We nonetheless have time to save lots of this miracle.
