About Us
Our Purpose
We serve Whatcom County by advancing equity and partnering with our community to promote health through policy and systems improvement; prevent disease and injury; provide accurate and reliable health communication, information and data; prepare for and respond to emergencies; and preserve a healthy environment where everyone can thrive.
Our Strategic Plan
Whatcom County Health and Community Services Strategic Plan
Our Divisions
Whatcom County Health and Community Services is made up of six divisions:
- Communicable Disease and Epidemiology
- Community and Organizational Development
- Community Health and Human Services
- Environmental Health
- Financial and Administrative Services
- Response Systems
The Communicable Disease and Epidemiology division works to stop the spread of disease. They work to prevent and investigate infectious diseases, provide screenings and clinical/community support referrals, and provide vaccinations and harm reduction services. They work to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases like tuberculosis, measles, COVID-19, RSV, influenza, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, MRSA, and many more. Programs include:
- Immunizations
- Tuberculosis
- Syringe Services Program
- Communicable Disease
- Sexual Health
The Community and Organizational Development division provides services that cross-cut and connect all divisions within the department. They help the department to carry out its priorities and projects more effectively and implement WCHCS’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. Programs include:
- Health Information & Assessment
- Epidemiology
- Assessment & Evaluation
- Data & Informatics
- Partnerships & Strategy
- Communications
- Emergency Preparedness & Resiliency
- Equity
- Policy
- Workforce Development
The Community Health & Human Services division promotes health and well-being for everyone in our community. They aim to reduce health disparities and encourage healthy behaviors. They offer services in areas such as housing, food and nutrition, substance use prevention, and support for children and families, veterans, and people with disabilities. Programs include:
- Nurse-Family Partnership
- Food Systems
- Homeless and Housing
- Developmental Disabilities
- Veterans
- Substance use prevention
- Children with Special Health Care Needs
- Childcare and Early Learning
- LatinX Outreach
The Environmental Health division works to promote a healthy and safe environment. They focus on disease and injury prevention and adherence to environmental health mandates and requirements. They monitor drinking and recreational water quality; conduct restaurant inspections and monitor food recalls in order to prevent foodborne illnesses; prevent exposure to hazards like lead, asbestos, or mold in homes or school environments, and much more. Programs include:
- Solid Waste
- Food Safety
- School Health & Safety
- Living Environment
- On-site Septic
- Drinking Water
- Climate Change Response
The Financial and Administrative Services division makes sure services run smoothly. They provide customer service to community members in accessing information and resources. They manage vital records like birth and death certificates, permits, and other health-related public records. They also oversee the department budget, grants and contracts, and financial services. Programs include:
- Community customer services including vital records, permitting, and complaints
- Financial Services and Contracts
- Internal administrative services
The Response Systems division provides intensive case management services to vulnerable community members. They work closely with first responders, healthcare providers, social services, and the legal system to coordinate services for their clients and reduce utilization of emergency services and incarceration. Programs include:
- Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE)
- Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
- Alternative Response Team (ART)
- Mental Health Court
- Co-Responder program with Behavioral Health Sheriff Deputies
- Behavioral health contracts and coordination