Getting Started

What is Early Support?

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)

Every child grows and learns at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby or toddler’s development, there is help available.

ESIT is a statewide program in Washington that offers free developmental support for children from birth to age three who:

  • Have a disability or developmental delay, or

  • Have a medical condition that may put them at risk for a delay.

Early support services are designed to enable children birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities to be active and successful during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings—in their homes, in child care, in preschool or school programs, and in their communities.

Early Support Services in Whatcom County

In Whatcom County, three local agencies provide ESIT services:

All three programs offer similar supports, and require a self-referral or doctor referral to get started. WCEL's program has a feeding team with a dietitian and a physical therapist. You can request which agency you would like to be placed with when you call the SEAS line to make a self-referral.

How to Get Started:

You don’t need a doctor’s referral—parents and caregivers can make a referral themselves! All referrals go through Single Entry Access to Services (SEAS).

Here’s how it works:

  1. Make a referral by phone 360.715.7485 or online at seaswhatcom.org

  2. Connect with a SEAS Navigator who will talk with you about your child’s needs

  3. Choose the right provider—based on your family’s preferences, location, or specific services

Babies Can’t Wait

If you wish to access services for your child or have questions about your child's needs, please get in touch with the SEAS line. They will help you get a referral to Whatcom Center for Early Learning or another relevant agency based on your child's needs. 

Contact SEAS

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FAQs

  • Single Entry Access Services (SEAS): A Program of Whatcom Taking Action

    What is Whatcom Taking Action?

    Whatcom Taking Action is a community partnership working to make it easier for families to find and use services that support children and youth with developmental, behavioral, health, and learning needs. Our vision is a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive—no matter their abilities.

    Introducing the SEAS Program

    The Single Entry Access Services (SEAS) Program is a free, family-centered resource that helps families navigate the complex system of care for children with disabilities or developmental delays.

    SEAS was created in 2012 by families, for families, to answer common questions like:

    • What services are available for my child?

    • How do I access evaluations, therapies, or support programs?

    • Who accepts my insurance?

    • How do I apply for services like DDA or SSI?

    Families told us they often felt overwhelmed and alone. SEAS was designed to change that—by offering a single, welcoming place to get answers, share your story, and receive personalized guidance.

    Who SEAS Serves

    SEAS is here to support:

    • Children and youth with disabilities or delays (up to age 21)

    • All children under age 5, regardless of disability status

    • Expecting families

    • Families who speak languages other than English

    Whether you're just starting your journey or looking for specific services, SEAS is your trusted starting point.

  • Referrals must be made through the Single Entry Access to Services (SEAS) line. The SEAS line manages all referrals for early support services in Whatcom County.  

    There are three Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) provider agencies in Whatcom County: WCEL, Lummi Tribal 0-3, and the Opportunity Council (OC). Lummi Tribal 0-3 serves the children who live on the Lummi Reservation, and WCEL works with them to coordinate and provide culturally relevant services to children living off the reservation. WCEL and the OC split the incoming referrals and work in tandem to cover the remainder of Whatcom County. WCEL serves approximately 60% of the incoming referrals in our county, with the Opportunity Council covering the remaining 40%. Both agencies cover all of Whatcom County, however, WCEL has a primary focus in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and Blaine, per an agreement in place. 

    Families may request WCEL as their provider in their SEAS referral.

  • Yes, when you contact SEAS you can request WCEL, Lummi Tribal 0-3 or Opportunity Council as your Early Support provider, depending on your preference.

  • If your child needs support with speech, feeding, movement or social skills, they may benefit from personalized therapy or early support.  

    Children are most often referred to ESIT services by their primary care provider, but families can also self refer if they are concerned about their child’s development. In Whatcom County a parent can call the Single Entry Access to Services (SEAS) line or say to their doctor, “I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated to find out if he/she is eligible for early support services” and their doctor should then do a referral to the SEAS line (but a referral is not required).  

    Eligibility for Early Support Services is based on an evaluation of a child’s skills and abilities that is done by an ESIT provider agency. To be eligible, a child must have a 25% delay or show a 1.5 standard deviation below his or her age in one or more of the developmental areas. However, if they don’t show this delay, informed clinical opinion can also allow a child to qualify.