Healthy Children’s Fund contracts top $5 million in 2024
The Healthy Children's Fund made significant strides in 2024, distributing funds to address the needs of Whatcom County’s youngest residents. The two key goals of the fund are to increase kindergarten readiness—which supports lifelong financial, social and emotional success—and to reduce child abuse, as Whatcom County has the highest rate in Washington state.These efforts reflect voter-approved support for young children and their families and Whatcom County’s commitment to improving the health, education and overall well-being of children from birth to age five.
The Healthy Children’s Fund is projected to collect $10 million annually through 2032 to support early childhood learning and care and services for vulnerable children. Since Jan. 1, 2024, the Healthy Children’s Fund has contracted for $5,092,474 in programs that support children and their families. Contracts with local providers were signed to expand infant childcare slots, increase access to childcare job training scholarships and provide counseling internships for graduate students working with Medicaid-eligible parents. These programs aim to strengthen the early childhood system by addressing both immediate needs and long-term workforce development.
2024 investments included:
- Increasing childcare capacity: New infant room at Generations Early Learning adds eight slots, and emergency childcare vouchers through the Opportunity Council support up to 110 families.
- Improving birth outcomes: Increased access to doula care for Medicaid-eligible mothers through contracts with nine providers. Doula services have been shown to improve birth outcomes and reduce postpartum complications, saving healthcare dollars and increasing the chances of healthy moms and babies.
- Supplying basic needs: Bellingham Food Bank will partner with all food banks to distribute infant care supplies countywide. This partnership ensures that qualified families in underserved areas have access to free diapers, formula and basic hygiene products, which help them meet other basic needs like rent, utilities and transportation.
- Providing early intervention for developmental delays: Catalyst Therapies will lead family support groups, provide pediatric speech language and occupational therapy services, and expand the Autism Clinic, enhancing the clinic’s ability to evaluate and diagnose autism in children under the age of five. These services ensure earlier intervention, which can be critical to improving developmental outcomes.
Additional funding opportunities in 2025
“We’re just getting started; over $1.8 million has been awarded to childcare providers throughout Whatcom County. Once contracts are negotiated and signed, these providers will use the funding to improve quality and increase childcare capacity in their programs. More funding opportunities will be coming soon,” said Sarah Simpson, supervisor of Child and Family Programs with Health and Community Services.
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