Focusing on early childhood well-being goes beyond just the child. It’s about creating a supportive ecosystem where families and children can thrive.
The journey to early childhood well-being in Whatcom County began over two decades ago with a vision: all children are safe, healthy, and ready to learn; families are strong, stable, and supported from the start; and communities are welcoming and supportive places for children and families to live, learn, work, and play. (Whatcom Working Toward Well-Being, 2020)
Since then, a dedicated coalition of community members, organizations, and elected officials have worked tirelessly to prioritize early childhood well-being.
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Key milestones include:
- 2012: Early childhood is identified as a critical area of focus in Whatcom County’s first community health improvement plan.
- 2016: The Whatcom County Health Board declares child well-being a top priority.
- 2020: The County Council approves the Child & Family Action Plan and creates a Task Force.
- 2021: Needs assessments identify gaps in services for children and families.
- 2022: Healthy Whatcom focuses on early childhood well-being across all community health improvement strategies.
- November 2022: Voters approve Proposition 5, establishing the Healthy Children’s Fund.
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What we’re working on:
The Healthy Children’s Fund (HCF) is putting your support into action by funding programs that give young children (prenatal to age 5) and their families the resources they need to thrive. Here are some initial strategies:
Early Learning & Care
Supporting Vulnerable Children
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Funding in Action:
- Parent support groups “peer to peer” ($600k)
- Doulas for Medicaid families ($300k)
- Resources for families at risk of losing housing ($2.8M)
- Providing basic needs like diapers, formula, transportation, and childproofing to vulnerable families ($800k)
- Expanding services for families with children with disabilities and/or complex medical needs ($300k)
- Perinatal Mental Health Expansion ($200k)
- Drop-in childcare ($500k)
- Childcare-based services like Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech, Behavioral Health support, and new programs to promote Kindergarten Readiness ($1.5M)
- Child care facility expansion ($1M)
- Strengthening the early learning and care workforce through a professional development hub ($1.5M)
![](https://healthywhatcom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hw-color-rule-1920x4.png)
Want to get involved?
For details on all HCF strategies and funding awards, visit the Healthy Children’s Fund Implementation Plan or the Health and Community Services website.