The children's museum of tacoma (CMT) will partner with county and local libraries, transitional housing shelters, housing authority, and other social service providers to implement the free play to…

The Children's Museum of Tacoma (CMT) was awarded a $288,952 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to implement the Free Play to Learn Plus (P2L+) program from November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022. Building on two existing outreach initiatives, P2L+ will provide live virtual classes, prerecorded classes, activity kits, family STEAM nights, resource guides, and eventual in-person classes in partnership with local libraries, transitional housing shelters, housing authorities, and social service providers. The program aims to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic such as decreased social isolation for children and caregivers and increased ability to express complex emotions related to pandemic effects.

The children's museum of tacoma (CMT) will partner with county and local libraries, transitional housing shelters, housing authority, and other social service providers to implement the free play to learn plus (P2L+) program. Building on two existing successful community outreach programs, play to learn pierce county and CMT cares, P2L+ will offer live virtual classes, prerecorded classes, activity kits, family steam nights, resource guides, and eventual in-person classes to meet families' needs in accessible ways. P2L+ mitigates the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic including a decrease in pandemic induced social isolation for children and caregivers and an increase in participants' abilities to express complex emotions related to the effects of the pandemic.