What We Do

Overview

Current Projects:

Neighborhood

County-wide

Convening

Current Projects and Initiatives

County-wide Projects

Merger with STAR – Straight Talk About Responsibility (STAR) decided to dissolve in June 2007.  STAR was best known for its Drug Free Youth Program, Meth Action Team coordination, and support of numerous parent support efforts and county-wide prevention programs.  WFCN was awarded the CMASA contract for 2007-2013 and officially merged with STAR in 2007 in order to continue the spirit of its fine work in Whatcom County.  Our board has become the CMASA Policy Board for Whatcom County and blends youth leadership development with our community organizing focus to reduce substance abuse and violence in our community.

Service Integration – WFCN continues to work with local and state public and nonprofit service providers to support family-directed and coordinated service planning for families.   We are working on standards for integrating services and creating policy recommendations to make local services more flexible to keep children safe and in our community when state agencies need to be involved. 

Pilot Projects - This work has led to key pilot projects with Juvenile Court, the Children’s Administration, and the  Community Service office of DSHS to increase juvenile success, child safety, and economic prosperity for our most vulnerable citizens.  The Network’s role is evaluation, coordination, and engaging citizen leadership in the design and operation of promising new strategies.

WISH Family Journal – We are partnering with Brigid Collins to create a web-based communication tool that puts families in charge of their own service data and requires providers to work from the same “plan.” This project is funded by major grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Paul Allen Family Foundation.

Family Resource Team – Staff coordinate a multi-agency team that meets monthly with families using a strength-based approach and family support practices to help them create a coordinated plan to achieve their goals.

Communities in Schools - WFCN has been supporting the start-up of a county-wide community partnership to improve educational success and reduce dropping out of school.  In 2007 CIS of Whatcom County incorporated and in 2008 officially became an affiliate of the national CIS.

Welcome Home: Returning War-zone Veteran Project – Homecoming stress is a major risk factor for a successful transition home for returning veterans and their families and loved ones. We continue to support the Vets Center and WWU to increase homecoming supports through community education to improve the opportunities for returning veterans to make it “all the way home.”