On Wednesday, June 25, I toured the Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) in Kent. There was no media, no speeches — just a bipartisan group walking through a place that has dedicated 35 years to quietly saving lives.
It may have been a final visit. Unless something changes by Monday, June 30, PICC will close its doors for good. Not because it failed. Not because the need disappeared. But because our state government chose to let it die — through ideology, indifference and a single veto.
PICC specializes in caring for newborns suffering from drug withdrawal. These are infants born into agony — their bodies trembling, their cries raw and guttural. PICC gently nurses them through the most painful days of their lives. The average stay is 30 to 40 days. The outcomes are remarkable.
For decades, PICC received about $700,000 per year in state support — a fraction of the state’s $70 billion-plus budget. The rest came from private donors, community support and nonprofit partners. This year, Democratic budget writers stripped that funding. Republicans pushed to restore it. After bipartisan negotiation, $100,000 was included in the final budget — just enough to buy one more year and create a long-term plan.
Gov. Bob Ferguson vetoed it.
Even after the veto, PICC might have survived. But the Department of Children, Youth, and Families terminated PICC’s contract — the agreement that allows hospitals and state services to place infants there. Without it, PICC can’t take babies, regardless of how many beds are open or how urgent the need.
This decision came without warning. No complaint, no violation, no consultation. Despite invitation, the governor never visited. Then he vetoed their last chance — and said nothing while DCYF severed the lifeline.
Behind the scenes, state officials offer weak justifications. DCYF suggests the care center is “outdated” or inconsistent with “best practices.” But that claim falls apart under scrutiny.
PICC uses modern, evidence-based care models — including “Eat, Sleep, Console.” It avoids overmedication. In 35 years, Narcan has been needed only once. It offers extended visitation, hotel vouchers for families and structured support. The facility even tried overnight stays until those led to dangerous incidents, including on-site drug use and an attempted infant abduction by a parent under the influence.
PICC’s policies aren’t to punish parents. They’re to protect babies.
But DCYF has changed. Since its formation in 2017, and especially after the 2021 Keeping Families Together Act, the department has embraced a rigid ideology that prioritizes reunification at almost any cost, even when parents are actively using meth or fentanyl. This ideology has fueled a tripling of child deaths and near deaths in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year — over half due to fentanyl.
If PICC closes, these infants will be sent to overstimulating hospitals at 10 times the cost — or worse, placed back in homes where substances are used.
PICC wasn’t built by bureaucrats. It was built by people who care. Founder Barb Drennen dedicated her life to it. Over the years, she was joined by a bipartisan coalition of supporters: pediatricians, police chiefs, local officials. Former Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and others. Every rocking chair, every crib, every detail of that facility is a testament to purpose, compassion and community.
This isn’t a call for money. PICC is ready to operate for another year — without any new state funding — if their contract is restored.
The only thing required is leadership. Specifically, Gov. Ferguson and DCYF Secretary Tana Senn must reinstate the PICC’s contract. That alone would give us time to regroup, to find solutions, to do right by the scores of babies still being born into addiction in this state.
If PICC closes on Monday, let the record show it was not for lack of care. Not for lack of need. Not for lack of donors. And certainly not for lack of love.
It was because of one man’s veto. One agency’s silence. And a failure of conscience at the highest levels of state government.
The Pediatric Interim Care Center deserves better. Barb Drennen deserves better.
And above all, the babies do. We still have time to save this miracle.
Representative Travis Couture (R-Allyn)
Rep. Travis Couture, a U.S. Navy veteran and Washington State Representative for the 35th Legislative District, brings a wealth of experience in service and leadership.
As a submariner aboard USS Alabama and USS Nebraska, he completed multiple strategic deterrence patrols, earning numerous honors before his honorable discharge in 2011. Post-military, Couture managed billions in assets as a Program Manager for a Fortune 500 company, supporting Naval Base Kitsap, and later led over 100 employees as Director of Operations for a Kitsap County non-profit serving people with disabilities.
He holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in organizational leadership from Brandman University. A decade-long community leader, Couture is driven by his role as a father of four to address challenges like rising costs and quality education.
He resides in Allyn with his wife, Julie, and their children.
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliate.
Author: Lynnwood Times Contributor
5 Responses
How can I help save the facility for saving babies that come out addicted to drugs, I live in downtown Kent, and I want to help, who do I need to talk to, I will do whatever it takes to help save that place, and save those babies. Please respond, let me know what I can do. Sincerely Bret Kannarr
Very admirable and much needed. Their website is in the first line of the article: https://www.picc.net/ Hope and pray that more will follow your lead and keep them saving the children.
Help save God’s precious and innocent. To not, is unconscionable.
Why hasn’t Rep Couture asked President Trump for money to keep PICC open. Trump can send a bit of the money he’s received from the Saudi’s.
This is a direct result of the REPUBLICAN’S “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” cut the money. Now we’re scrambling to stretch the abysmal crumbs/table scraps from the Republican give away to their mega-rich elitist donors as far as possible.
The Republican’s knew children would suffer and now they blame everyone but themselves. I’m not falling for the Republican gaslighting.
My husband and I adopted one of the babies who was treated at PICC. We took him home from the facility. We loved every person we met there. Each had a heart for every child that came through their doors. This is a tragedy.