As we look back on 2023, WCHCS is pleased to announce a landmark year for childcare investments.
In May 2023, Whatcom County awarded $5.8 million in funding to create 277 new slots and preserve 84 early learning slots across Whatcom County, including investments in Ferndale, Bellingham, and the Meridian School District. Awardees include:
- Whatcom Family YMCA Barkley
- Western Washington University’s Child Development Center
- Opportunity Council Bellis Project
- Gabriel’s Art Kids, Ferndale
- Meridian School District
“This award strongly supports our vision of tackling the lack of childcare and early learning support in Whatcom County while addressing workforce and economic development,” said Meridian School District Superintendent Dr. James Everett.
In addition, the County awarded a $750,000 grant to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County to mitigate financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic after the March 2020 acquisition of Kids’ World.
All these investments were funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
The County’s prior childcare efforts included a $800,000 land donation and a $200,000 capital contract for new early learning and care slots in Downtown Bellingham as well as stabilization grants funded through the CARES Act.
In addition, with ARPA funding from Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham, Opportunity Council’s Center for Retention and Expansion of Childcare (C-RECC) has awarded grants to over 32 local childcare providers, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per provider. With these grants, providers have been able to raise wages, meet urgent maintenance needs, purchase supplies, and create enriched early learning environments with high-quality curriculum and services.
“We were able to retain all staff members, something that has never happened in past years. We try hard to keep our tuition rate low to welcome all families in our community, and this assistance with needed repairs allowed us to keep our rates the same and retain almost all of our children and families,” said Sheri Ayubi of Blue Heron Montessori, who was a recipient of City of Bellingham funding.
Further funding from Whatcom County has supported emergency childcare vouchers for families, business leadership and technical assistance, and professional development scholarships for childcare workers.
The City of Bellingham also contributed ARPA funding to expand childcare slots, including capital funding for Laurel & Forest (Opportunity Council), YMCA Barkley, YMCA Millworks, Samish Commons, and Heart House (YMCA/Lydia Place).
Momentum continues in 2024
WCHCS is recently solicited proposals for additional childcare capital projects, with $1.3 million available in funding.
In early 2024, the County is planning a range of childcare investments from ARPA and the Healthy Childrens’ Fund, including two home-based childcare pilot programs to expand early learning and care services to more families. One program will focus on starting up 15 new home-based childcare businesses while the other will provide drop-in emergency care for families, including foster children.
“We are grateful to the Child and Family Wellbeing Task Force and Whatcom County Council for years of planning toward these investments and to the educators and caregivers of our next generation,” said Erika Lautenbach, WCHCS director. “We look forward to expanding our support for early learning and care in 2024 and beyond.
