RESOURCES P. 2
Senior, Youth, Family Services
Northwest Regional Council connects and
creates new solutions to navigate the challenges of aging and disability.
NWRC provides an extensive array
of services and resource to assist
the elderly and disabled improve
their lives with short– and long-term
solutions including health care,
medical transportation, in-home
care, case management, resources
for veterans, housing, food, a variety
of support services, and much more.
(360) 676-6749
https://nwrcwa.org
600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA
Senior Resources
A guide to services and resources
for seniors in Whatcom County
360.344.3333
guide@olypen.com
https://nwseniors.com/whatcomcounty
Whatcom Council on Aging, in partnership with the people we serve, offers nutritional, health, social, recreational, and educational programs that promote lifelong independence.
Lifelong empowerment
through education, advocacy, and support: Independence through
affordable housing, nutritious food,
health care and programs that support lifetime wellness.
Connections with community Senior
Centers, programs and outreach.
Opportunities for civic and community life engagement through education, recreation, and volunteerism.
Self-respect through self determined
and independent living to prevent premature non-independent living and through opportunities for seniors to maintain autonomy.
Good physical and mental health through proper nutrition, exercise, and other social activities.
Community support built through
advocacy for older adults and
through a positive image of aging.
Whatcom Council on Aging
engages in partnerships with agencies and community groups that support the values of Accessibility, Connectedness, Involvement, Independence, Individual Respect, Health, and Advocacy.
360-733-4030
https://whatcomcoa.org/contactus/
Medicare.gov provides information on how to get started with Medicare, with what Medicare covers, as well as information about prescription drug/dental/vision plans, has health counseling, assists in finding a provider, and other health-related resources.
1-800-MEDICARE(1-800-633-4227)
TTY users can call-877-486-2048
https://www.medicare.gov
We provide financial protection for our nation’s people. We can help you through all life’s journeys.
We administer benefits like Retirement, Disability, Survivor, and Family.
We also manage Supplemental Security Income (SSI), enroll people in Medicare, and issue Social Security numbers and cards.
You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Office Locator.
Meals on Wheels and More supports
the health and independence of the
older adult populations of Whatcom
and San Juan Counties by providing
nutritious food, social connection,
and nutrition education.
Through our Meals on Wheels and
Community Meals provide 2000+
seniors throughout Whatcom and
San Juan Counties with more than
200,000 nutritious meals each year!
Every meal we provide meets at
least third a senior’s daily
nutritional requirements.
Seniors are at increased risk for
malnutrition for multiple reasons
including: Chronic or acute illnesses Decreased ability to shop for and to prepare healthy meals
Depression
Lack of funds
It is our goal to ensure that all Whatcom and San Juan seniors have access to the nutrition they need to remain healthy and
independent in their homes as long
as possible.
360-746-6480
https://whatcomcoa.org/meals-onwheels/
Adult Protective Services (APS) is
dedicated to serving vulnerable
adults. We investigate reports about
abuse, abandonment, neglect,
exploitation and self-neglect of
vulnerable adults in Washington
State. We collaborate with other
agencies to oer protective services
as needed. Our goal is to promote
lives free of harm while respecting
individual choice.
Make an APS Report: Report
Online or Call 1-877-734-6277
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/
adult-protective-services
Whatcom Council on Aging, in partnership with the people we serve, others nutritional, health, social, recreational, and educational programs that promote lifelong independence.
Vision: Lifelong empowerment
through education, advocacy, and
support: Independence through
affordable housing, nutritious food,
health care and programs that
support lifetime wellness.
Connections with community Senior
Centers, programs and outreach.
Opportunities for civic and
community life engagement through
education, recreation, and volunteerism.
Self-respect through self determined
and independent living to prevent premature non-independent living and through opportunities for seniors to maintain autonomy.
Good physical and mental health
through proper nutrition, exercise,
and other social activities.
Community support built through
advocacy for older adults and
through positive image of aging.
Values: Whatcom Council on Aging
engages in partnerships with
agencies and community groups that
support the values of Accessibility,
Connectedness, Involvement,
Independence, Individual Respect,
Health, and Advocacy.
360-733-4030
https://whatcomcoa.org/contactus/
Dementia Support NW
Each year we provide hundreds of
hours of support to caregivers in
Whatcom and Skagit County through
our free programs:
Adult Day Programs for scheduled
caregiver respite
Support Groups for adults caring for
those aected by dementia
Adult Children Support Groups for
those adults caring for a parent
aected by dementia
Dementia-Friendly events
Art Access Classes with Allied Arts
of Whatcom County
Project Lifesaver (a partnering with
the Whatcom County Sheri)
providing electronic technology to
locate those who wander
All seek to provide a support to
those living with dementia as well as
to those providing their care.
(360) 671-3316
https://www.dementiasupportnw.
org
Care Connect
helps pregnant and
newly parenting
women prepare for delivery and
parenthood with a series of classes.
Lessons include topics such as
Understanding Pregnancy, Labor
and Delivery, Postpartum, Infant
Hygiene, Infant First-Aid and Getting
Your Baby to Sleep. At each weekly
appointment, clients will meet oneon-
one with a trained peer mentor
for one hour. With each lesson that
is completed, clients will earn “baby
bucks” for supplies such as diapers,
wipes, clothing and blankets.
(360)-9057
info@whatcomclinic.com
https://www.whatcomclinic.com/
services/education/
ECEAP & Head Start
ECEAP (pronounced "E-Cap") is the
Early Childhood Education and
Assistance Program funded by
Washington State for children 3 and 4
and, in some locations, infants or
toddlers who are younger than 3 years
old.
Both ECEAP and Head Start include:
Free early learning child care or
preschool to support child's
development and learning. In some
locations, Head Start may also oer
home-based services.
Family support and parent involvement.
Child health coordination and nutrition.
Services responsive and appropriate to
each child's and family's heritage and
experience. Children who attend
ECEAP and Head Start learn to manage
their feelings, get along with others and
follow classroom procedures. They
build the beginning skills for reading,
math and science. The programs work
closely with parents to support their
children’s health and education and to
meet family goals. They help families
access medical and dental care and
social services.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov for
ECEAP dcyf.
hsco@dcyf.wa.gov for Head Start
https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/
earlylearning-childcare/eceapheadstart
DCYF is the lead agency for state-funded services that support children and families to build resilience and health, and to improve educational outcomes. We accomplish this by partnering with state and local agencies, tribes and other organizations in communities across the state of Washington. Our focus is to support children and families at their most vulnerable points, giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Brain science tells us that laying a strong foundation, early in life, critically impacts healthy development. The science also tells us that addressing trauma, especially at critical transition points in the lives of youth, helps ensure successful transition into adulthood. To truly give all children the great start in school and life they deserve, DCYF was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional and physical well-being of children, youth and families — an agency that prioritizes early learning, prevention and early intervention at critical points along the age continuum from birth through adolescence.
NYS offers a wide variety of programs,
services and support for Whatcom County youth, including housing, health care, mental health, employment and education, gender identity support, and teen court.
Youth are welcome to drop in.
(360) 734-9862
hello@nwys.org
https://www.nwys.org
1020 North State St. Bellingham,
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
(212) 695-8650
The Home Free pro-gram reunites youth with their family or legal guardian or helps them get to an alternative living arrangement (ALA), such as a community-based transitional living program, through a free bus tick-et. In addition, Home Free works in collaboration with youth, par-ents and guardians, law enforcement, anti-trafficking organizations, social service and health care providers and others to ensure youth who are victims of labor and sex trafficking benefit from reuniting with caring adults or getting to an alternative living program. 1-800-RUNAWAY 1-800-786-2929,
FAMILY SERVICES & PARENTING
SUPPORT
There are four Family Services
Coordinators at Mount Baker School
District. Our mission is to create
partnerships between families,
school, and the community. All our
services are confidential.
We provide support which enables
children and adolescents to live in a
safe and healthy environment, as
well as encourages them to be
present and do their best in school.
We assist families with resources,
information and problem solving to
help their children succeed in
school. We are
available for confidential meetings
by phone, at school, or at home.
(360) 383-2000
(360) 383-2009
Kendall Elementary
(360) 383-2055
https://www.mtbaker.wednet.edu/
o/kendall
7547 Kendall Road
Maple Falls, WA 98266
Acme Elementary School
(360) 383-2045
https://www.mtbaker.wednet.edu/
o/acme
5200 Turkington Road Acme, WA
Mt Baker Jr High School
(360) 383-2016
5100 Mitchell Road Deming, WA
https://www.mtbaker.wednet.edu/
o/mbjh
Mt Baker Senior High School
(360) 383-2015
https://www.mtbaker.wednet.edu/
o/mbhs
4936 Deming Road Deming, WA
PARENT TRUST
Because kids don’t come with instructions!
The Family Help Line is free call from anywhere in Washington State, available to parents, caregivers, and anyone who has an interest in or questions about a child in their community. We can help you find resources, parenting classes, community resources and so much more. We are here to talk and problem solve with you!
If you need a translator, please call
and let us know – in most cases we
can have a translator available in
minutes!
800-932-4673
familyhelpline@parenttrust.org
https://www.parenttrust.org
Parent to Parent Support Programs
provide emotional support and information to families of children with
developmental disabilities, delays,
and special health care needs.
Personal support from another
parent, who has a child with similar
needs, can be helpful in coping with
many challenging experiences and
feelings. Helping Parent volunteers
have completed a training program
and are available to provide support
and information to other parents. All
information will be kept confidential.
There is no cost for this service.
(360) 715-0170
p2p@arcwhatcom.org
https://www.p2pwhatcom.org/
home
Maternal Mental Health Line
Text or call 1-833-852-6262 for
support through all stages of
pregnancy, with free, confidential
access to professional
counselors, real-time information,
and support group referrals.
Counselors provide support in
English and en español. The
Hotline is free, confidential, and
available 24/7 in English and
Spanish. 1-833-TLC-MAMA
https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programsimpact/national-maternalmental-health-hotline#:~:text=The%20National%20Maternal%20Mental%20Health
We know that supporting parents is the foundation of a healthy community. When parents thrive, children can thrive. And when children thrive, only then can a community thrive.
Mood and anxiety disorders are the #1 complication of pregnancy and postpartum. Nationally, about 15-20% of parents experience very distressing symptoms. This can include feeling more sad, disconnected, worried, angry, or overwhelmed than usual. Parents of every culture, age, income level, and race can be affected.
There are approximately 2,000 births a year in Whatcom County. Using national rates of 15-20%, this means about 400 local parents will likely experience some sort of mood or anxiety disorder each year. Unfortunately, only about 15% of those parents will likely seek support for their symptoms. That means 340 parents in Whatcom County may not get the help they deserve. (For an overview, see this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.)
The Nooksack Youth and Family Services Department provides an array of advocacy and case man-agement services to Nooksack children and families involving child welfare, domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. (360) 306-5090 https://nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/
The Y is committed to ensuring that every youth has the oppor-tunity to become a healthy, contributing member of socie-ty. The Y offers teens a safe environ-ment where they can develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibil-ity. We offer activities and programs for teens that provide them with academic assistance, life skills, healthy habits, positive social experiences, all while having fun. 360 733 863 https://www.whatcomymca.org/teen-programs
Volunteer Chore Program provides
volunteers to help the elderly
(60 and over) and adults with
functional disabilities remain
independent in their own homes.
The Chore Program serves as a
safety net, helping those for whom
other resources are unavailable.
Chore assists 200+ Whatcom
County residents each year.
(360) 734-5121 ext. 1172
https://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/volunteer-chore-program/
Catholic Community Services is the
largest local private provider of
assistance to individuals and families struggling with poverty and the most
vulnerable in our communities.
(360) 676-2164
info@ccsww.org
The Arc of Whatcom County provides infor-mation and referrals, educational programs, and funding for people with developmental disabilities, their families and the organizations that serve them. The Arc of Whatcom County is dedicated to meeting the needs of children and adults with de-velopmental disabilities, such as cere-bral palsy, autism and Down syn-drome. (360) 715-0170 admin@arcwhatcom.org