Whatcom Family & Community Network

WFCN AIMS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND VIOLENCE,RESILIENCY IN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND TO SUPPORT SCHOOL SUCCESS THROUGH COMMUNITY CHANGE AND CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS IN LINKING EXISTING CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE EFFORTS, ENHANCING CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROACTIVE NEW PROGRAMS WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON STATE.

COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION AND RESILIENCE: CONVENING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS AROUND COMMUNITY CHANGE EFFORTS RELATED TO UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE/FAMILY RISK FACTORS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTIVE FACTORS THAT INCREASE RESILIENCE/HEALING IN INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. PROVIDE LEADERSHIP SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND EVENTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF ACES/ RESILIENCE AND FAMILY SUPPORT PRINCIPLES ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF WHATCOM COUNTY. ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN RESTORATIVE AND TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICE AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. WFCN RECOGNIZES CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AS A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATOR AND WORKS TO MITIGATE GENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES THROUGH COMMUNITY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TOWARD BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM WERE CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE ORGANIZATION RESUMED ACTIVITIES IN 2021.

PREVENTION COORDINATION OF WHATCOM PREVENTION AND MT. BAKER COMMUNITY COALITIONS: SUPPORT TO OTHER LOCAL PREVENTION COALITIONS AND EFFORTS. OVERSIGHT OF LOCAL GANG PREVENTION EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, SCHOOLS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. CO-COORDINATES A QPR-BASED SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM, MAD HOPE, FOCUSED ON EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO YOUTH, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND THE COMMUNITY. SUPPORTS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH AND INCLUSION OF YOUTH VOICE TO PROVIDE PEER SUBSTANCE USE EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND OUTREACH THROUGH SCHOOL BASED CLUBS, TRAINING, AND EVENTS. FUNDED IN PART BY FEDERAL DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES, WASHINGTON STATE DSHS/DBHR, WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND BOTH PRIVATE AND FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTIONS.

ORGANIZATION CAPACITY BUILDING: SUPPORTS EMERGING OR SMALL NON-PROFITS, WHO PROVIDE PRO-SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND FAMILIES. SERVE AS A FISCAL AGENT FOR SMALL ANNUAL EVENTS, CO-SPONSOR TRAININGS AND EVENTS, CONSULT WITH ORGANIZATION ON GRANT WRITING, FUNDING STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION TOWARDS EFFORTS ALIGNED WITH WFCN'S MISSION. BELLINGHAM BLUE GRASS FESTIVAL: FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH INTERESTED IN MUSIC MAKING. HOMEMADE MUSIC SOCIETY: FREE FAMILY FRIEND EVENTS, ROOSEVELT COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER: COMMUNITY SPACE FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AROUND A VARIETY OF SUPPORTS. LET'S MOVE BLAINE: A CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION PROJECT.