The Opportunity Council is a local Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities. The Opportunity Council also serves as the lead agency for Washington State's ITEIP program. www.oppco.org
Parent to Parent of Whatcom County provides emotional support and
information to families of children with special needs and/or disabilities.
www.arcwhatcom.org/p2p or
contact them at p2pwhatcom@nas.com
Zero to Three is the nation’s leading resource on the first years of
life.
www.zerotothree.org
NW Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a local agency for deaf and
hard of hearing adults, with advocacy services, library, events, and
resources and referrals.
www.nwcdhh.org
The National Down Syndrome Society helps with education, research and
advocacy for people with Down Syndrome.
www.ndss.org
Hands and Voices is for families with deaf or hard of hearing children.
www.handsandvoices.org
Infant and Early Childhood Conference is an annual statewide conference
for networking for early childhood/birth-to-three providers; parent
scholarships are available.
www.ieccwa.org
Father’s Network is a statewide network whose mission is to celebrate and
support fathers and families raising children with special health care needs
and developmental disabilities.
www.fathersnetwork.org
Washington PAVE (Parents are Vital in Education) provides training and
information about IDEA, workshops and events, and publishes a quarterly
newsletter.
www.washingtonpave.com
The mission of Every Child Matters is to help establish children's needs as a higher priority on the country's policy agenda.
Everychildmatters.org
Arc of Whatcom County provides information and referrals, monthly Parent
Coalition newsletters, advocacy and assistance for people with disabilities
and their families, and educational programs and workshops.
www.arcwhatcom.org
United Way of Whatcom County funds help support WCEL home visits; funds
come through Community Safety Net and Donor Designations to WCEL. Board
Development assistance and Directors Forum support United Way member
agencies.
www.unitedwaywhatcom.org
Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program, Washington State Department of
Social and Health Services, is a state funding source that helps fund some
B-3 services, trains Family Resource Coordinators (FRC), and implements the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part C) in Washington
State.
www1.dshs.wa.gov/iteip
Sign with Your Baby. Sign classes for infants and toddlers and caregivers
in Whatcom County. (Some of these take place at WCEL’s big blue house!)
www.signbysign.com
Babynut.com (We’re Nuts About Babies!) has a unique assortment of toys,
books and clothes for the first three years of life. WCEL’s music CD is
available here as well.
www.babynut.com
