Healthy Children's Fund Progress

Page Last Updated: Nov. 7, 2024 at 4:15 p.m.

Money allocated through the Healthy Children’s Fund aligns with its implementation plan, specifically the 10 core strategies outlined within the plan. 

Small Capital Projects

  • Oct. 28, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Generations Early Learning for $67,000. This contract expands local childcare capacity by funding the conversion of an existing room within a licensed childcare facility to a licensed infant room. This will increase childcare capacity in Whatcom County by eight slots.

Early Learning & Care Subsidies

  • July 16, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with the Opportunity Council Childcare Stabilization $119,305. This contract added additional funding for emergency childcare and revised eligibility requirements for scholarships for those training in the early childcare workforce. Scholarships now include students with more than two quarters remaining in an educational program. These students must be willing to sign an attestation stating they will work in the early learning and care field within Whatcom County after graduating.

Recruit Mental & Behavioral Health Workforce

  • Sept. 23, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Catalyst Therapies LLC for $199,417. The contract funds expanded mental and behavioral health services for children 0-5 and their families.
  • July 27, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Mobile Mama Therapy for $164,235. This contract funds an internship program for counseling graduate students serving Medicaid-eligible parents. This program not only adds to the current capacity of providers, but is also helping develop the ongoing provider workforce.

Expand & Enhance Early Parenting Supports

Doula birthing and postpartum services for Medicaid-eligible families:

  • Oct. 28, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Sarah Day for $21,910.
  • Sept. 10, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Whatcom Working Doulas LLC for $34,050.
  • Aug. 26, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Marissa Peterson Birth Worker for $30,410.
  • July 31, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with The Very Best Doulas LLC for $34,570.
  • July 26, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Drayton Harbor Doula for $39,050.
  • July 25, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Labor of Love Doula Services for $22,850.
  • July 23, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Birth by Design for $38,090.
  • July 11, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Many Moons Birth for $39,450.
  • July 5, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with Onward Love Care Collective for $34,890.

Access to Infant Basic Needs:

  • Sept. 23, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with the Opportunity Council for $93,811. This contract supports access to diapers, formula, hygiene items, transportation and safety.
  • Aug. 7, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with the Bellingham Food Bank. The Bellingham Food Bank and 12 other Whatcom County food banks will distribute items such as diapers and formula using this contract.

Single Entry Access Services (SEAS):

  • June 27, 2024: The Healthy Children’s Fund signed a contract with the Opportunity Council for $225,000. This contract supports the Opportunity Council’s SEAS Program to:
    • Maintain their phone and email line.
    • Connect families with services for kids who need additional support and are not meeting milestones.
    • Offer perinatal and postpartum referral services, which are new to the SEAS program.