1965—Head Start is founded, offering early learning opportunities for low-income children. Seattle Day Nursery helps bring the program to Seattle, and is also involved in the Model Cities child care program for the disadvantaged.
1973—Patrick L. Gogerty is hired as executive director. Coming from a troubled childhood himself—his alcoholic father frequently abused the family, and all of the siblings spent time in foster care—Pat drew from his own life and his earlier work with juvenile offenders to shape Seattle Day Nursery’s program.
1974—With passage of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, Pat Gogerty sets about securing new state funds for a new child abuse prevention program.
1974-1976—After doing research and visiting other programs around the country, Pat, with the help of Child Protective Services, determines that the most vulnerable children are those age 2 and younger who could not speak for themselves, were home alone with parents, and often weren’t seen by the public (unlike older children who attended school).
