1987—Childhaven’s Eli Creekmore Memorial Branch opens in Burien, named in memory of a 4-year-old Snohomish boy whose death by horrific abuse at the hands of his father helped spur broad improvements in the state’s oversight of child abuse cases.
1990—Childhaven receives a legislative grant for a follow-up study on HB 1207 research.
1992—The Patrick L. Gogerty Branch opens in Auburn, named in honor of the father of the modern-day Childhaven.
1998—Results of the HB 1207 studies are published in the peer-reviewed journal, Child Maltreatment. The research—which studied children during their therapy and 12 years later as teenagers—proves that Childhaven children are six times less likely to have committed a violent juvenile crime, better adjusted in school, and two and half times less likely to abuse drugs. Also, their families received half as much money in welfare cash grants, medical coupons and food stamps as the comparison group.