WHO WE ARE

Pediatric Interim Care Center, The Newborn Nursery, (PICC) is a one-of-a-kind, model program that provides specialized, 24-hour care for drug-exposed and medically fragile newborns.

WHAT WE DO:  PICC brings babies safely through withdrawal from drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, methadone, and prescription drugs. The pioneering program also facilitates visitation for families, provides caregiver training, follows the babies after they leave, and offers and a range of community outreach and education services.

WHERE WE ARE: PICC is in Kent, Washington, 20 miles southeast of Seattle. PICC is the only 24-hour care center serving drug-exposed infants throughout Washington State.

WHY WE'RE NEEDED: More than 12,000 infants born in Washington State each year have been prenatally exposed to illicit drugs. Many of these little ones suffer serious effects and need the help that only PICC provides.

HOW WE SAVE YOU MONEY: A day of care at PICC costs State taxpayers $151. In a hospital neonatal unit the cost is more than $3,000, and taxpayers pick up the bill through Medicare. In 2006, PICC documented  $6.6 million in real taxpayer savings for babies who would have required hospital stays for narcotic-assisted withdrawal.

HOW WE ARE FUNDED; PICC is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The Washington State Legislature provides about 60% of PICC’s funding through a line item in the state budget. The other 40% of PICC’s operating expense is provided through the generosity of individual contributors and foundations.