Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) is the nation’s first interim care nursery specializing in the care of drug-exposed newborns. PICC was founded in 1990 to provide a safe haven for the large number of fragile babies born prematurely because of prenatal exposure to cocaine. Although the trending drugs have changed over the years, the need for an interim care nursery for drug-exposed newborns has remained constant. Today, PICC’s facility in Kent continues to provide a secure, low-stimulus environment where drug-affected babies receive 24-hour medical monitoring, narcotic assisted withdrawal when needed, and therapeutic nursing care until they are through their drug withdrawal and ready to go home.

PICC serves drug-exposed infants throughout Washington State, but primarily in the Puget Sound Region. It does not charge for any of its services and is accessible to all infants in need of its services regardless of family income, insurance coverage, or legal status. It is the only facility providing this level of care for drug-exposed infants in Washington State. Over its 33 years of operation, PICC has successfully weaned more than 3,300 babies from their drug-dependency and given each one of them a safe and healthy start in life, while saving the state millions of dollars each year by providing a cost-effective alternative to hospital care.PICC has received national attention and is frequently called upon for information to replicate its model program. PICC has received honors from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Washington State Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.

Funding Request: Gliding Rockers for Nursery:

Each of the infant rooms in PICC’s Newborn Nursery is equipped with a gliding rocker. These rockers are essential to the daily care of the babies and are used 24 hours a day for feeding and comforting the babies as they recover from their prenatal drug exposures. These infants are often hypersensitive to stimulation, so the gliding motion is more soothing to them than rocking. The gliding rockers we currently have are 18 years old and need to be replaced due to the breakage of the gliding mechanisms. We would greatly appreciate your help in providing the funds for their replacement.

Pediatric Interim Care Center is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.