Child and Family Well-Being Task Force

Purpose

The Task Force will continually review Whatcom governmental impacts on children and families, and make specific recommendations for improvements for all departments. The Task Force will consider input from diverse families throughout Whatcom County and evidence-based and promising practices and report on and make recommendations to County Council, Executive, and other appropriate officials regarding implementation of recommendations in the Whatcom Working Toward Well-being: An Action Plan for County Government (Action Plan) as adopted on February 4, 2020.

Meetings

  • The Task Force meets at 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. on the 4th Monday of every month, except July. Meetings that fall on a day of observed cultural or religious significance will be held on either the following day (Tuesday) or the following Monday.
  • See schedule of 2024 Meetings
  • The Task Force meets in a hybrid meeting format. 
  • Special meetings may be held as necessary. 
  • Please see the meeting agenda for specific meeting participation information.
  • Meetings are open to the public. 
  • All meetings are held in accessible locations. Sign language interpreter service, assisted listening devices and communication materials in alternative formats are available upon four (4) working days advance notice. Contact Allyson Halverson at [email protected].
  • Attendees are not required to share their name or personal information to enter a meeting by phone. Attendees may enter “anonymous” for name and “[email protected]” for email address to enter a meeting by hyperlink.

Members

The committee has 30 members.

Fifteen of the 30 total members are permanent members appointed by their designated agency:

  • Three representatives from families selected by Generations Forward Family Council: Christina Jackson, Task Force Co-Chair; Jason Oldham; VACANT
  • One representative from Whatcom Early Learning Alliance: Karla Anderson
  • One representative from Whatcom Taking Action for Children/Youth with Special Health Needs: Beverly Porter
  • One representative from School Superintendents (selected by Superintendents): Kristi Dominguez
  • One representative from Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF): VACANT
  • One representative from the Whatcom County Health Department (selected by Health Director): Allison Williams
  • One representative from Public Health Advisory Board (selected by PHAB): Sterling Chick
  • One member of the Whatcom County Council/Health Board: Jon Scanlon
  • Whatcom County Executive or alternate: Kayla Schott-Bresler
  • One representative from City of Bellingham: Samya Lutz
  • One representative from small cities (selected by the Small Cities Partnership): Gregory Hansen
  • One representative from Lummi Nation (selected by Lummi Nation): TBD
  • One representative from Nooksack Tribe (selected by Nooksack Tribe): Sativa Robertson

Fifteen of the 30 members are appointed by the County Council, and must represent at least one of the following experiences: community members from under-represented communities; community action agency, non-profit housing organization or social service agency; faith community; private school, home school, higher education or child care provider; medical and behavioral health care provider serving young children and families; community members with experience caring for children such as parent, foster parent, grandparent, or guardian; private business, corporation, or philanthropic organization.

Those members are:

  • Ray Deck III, Task Force Co-Chair
  • Jamie Desmul
  • Jennifer Wright
  • Anne Granberg
  • Allison Bishop
  • Monika Mahal
  • Katherine Orlowski
  • Pamela Jons
  • Tilda Doughty
  • Colton Kaltenfeldt, Task Force Co-Chair
  • Megan Juenemann
  • Lyn Salazar
  • Vesla Tonnessen, Task Force Co-Chair
  • Sallye Quinn
  • Jessica Goette

Vacancies

Term Information

  • 4-year terms, 2 term limit, one year separation required

Authority

Reports and Additional Information