Opportunity Council outlines Healthy Children’s Fund projects, emergency vouchers and Cedar Commons early‑learning site

Ann, presenting Sarah’s report to the Whatcom County Child and Family Well‑Being Task Force, said county staff have been advancing multiple early‑learning contracts funded through the Healthy Children’s Fund, including a subsidy contract under legal review and capital projects to expand child‑care capacity.

Lorie Saline and Amy Molen of Opportunity Council described four funded programs: CRAC (capacity and retention support), emergency child‑care vouchers, a single‑entry access system called C’s with a dedicated bilingual case manager, and capital funds for Cedar Commons Early Learning Center. “The emergency vouchers over this past year have impacted 44 families … and [we] have supported with over $100,000 in emergency vouchers in this past year for families,” Lorie said, describing assistance to families displaced by storms, illness or other crises.

Opportunity Council reported CRAC’s recent work includes outreach to more than 60 providers and the creation of 44 new child‑care slots in the prior year, with plans for roughly 123 additional licensed spaces in the coming year, many for infants and toddlers. Cedar Commons was described as a five‑classroom site near transit and retail that will house 36 ECAP slots and up to 48 mixed‑tuition seats, colocated with housing to support families moving from homelessness into more stable housing and employment.

Amy described C’s and the role of a bilingual case manager funded through an innovations RFP. The case‑manager role provides intensive navigation and transitional supports: intake, home visits and hand‑offs to services such as Early Head Start, early intervention, housing case management and the county’s homeless services center. Amy said the role is intended to bridge gaps between referrals and families’ ability to complete follow‑up steps.

Task force members sought clarifications about funding sources. Ann and others said Healthy Children’s Fund contributions have expanded services and helped unify funding streams rather than replace previous Developmental Disabilities (DD) funds; perinatal expansions were supported in part by behavioral‑health funding. Multiple speakers emphasized the importance of combining navigation and case management so families with high needs, limited English or housing instability can access services.

The task force thanked Opportunity Council for the presentation and noted staff will continue preparing council briefings and contract steps; no formal votes or motions were taken. The next task force meeting is scheduled for June 29.