PSTAA, Pierce County Invest in Expanded Youth Programs
Jul 20, 2026, 1:46 PM
South Sound Business
Originally published on South Sound Business.
Pierce County Human Services recently announced that it’s received about $2.6 million in investment from the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account, which will help the county expand community access to affordable, quality early-learning, and out-of-school programs.
The funding will be distributed among organizations that address gaps in local youth services, helping further County Executive Ryan Mello’s Forward Together initiative to support residents, according to a press release.
“Helping youth to thrive is one of the top areas we’re devoting our attention and resources,” said Mello in the release. “These funds support programs and services proven to keep youth safe, foster academic success, and develop the social-emotional skills necessary for responsible decisions and healthy relationships.”
According to the Pierce County 2025 Childcare Report, many county providers are currently operating at capacity and actively turning families away. To help combat the problem and increase affordability, Pierce County is directing $510,000 of the investment toward child care — specifically learning for children from birth to age 5. The following organizations have been awarded funds out of more than 70 applicants, and will awards will support navigation, enrollment, and subsidy support to families facing financial hardship:
● Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, $250,000
● BrightSpark Early Learning Services, $180,000
● Greentrike, $60,000
● Step by Step, $20,000
Additionally, $450,000 of the investment funds will be dedicated to organizations that provide safe and structured out-of-school programming for children and youth ages 11-25. Awarded organizations are:
● Communities in Schools of Tacoma, $125,000
● Hilltop Artists, $220,000
● Tacoma Community Boat Builders, $105,000
Beyond this, in an effort to aid in violence prevention, Pierce County is also providing direct allotments to expand and launch community youth services, which include:
● Clover Park School District (YMCA Late Nites), $190,470:
Offers a safe environment for Clover Park middle- and high-school students on Friday nights at the Lakewood YMCA to participate in enrichment and job exploration activities.
● Bethel School District (Teen Late Nights), $315,000:
Year-round program which provides Bethel middle- and high-school students with out-of-school programming focused on mental health, engagement, and skill-building.
● Pierce County Parks and Recreation (Active Youth Coalition — South Pierce), $250,000:
An initiative identifying gaps and expanding recreational opportunities for youth aged 5-18 in the Parkland-Spanaway, Frederickson, and unincorporated South Hill/Graham communities.
● Parks Tacoma (Summer Teen Late Nights), $300,000:
A drop-in program for all Pierce County students providing safe, healthy opportunities for peer interaction and connection with positive adult mentors.
● Tacoma Public Schools (Club B and Beyond the Bell), $600,000: Provides structured academic enrichment and social activities for K-8 students and families from the end of the school until 5:45 p.m.
