Whatcom Center For Early Learning

WCEL’s expertise is delivering high quality, equitable, and comprehensive early support services to young children, ages birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays forming a solid foundation for their long-term well-being. We provide classroom programs in five locations in Whatcom County, and in-home therapy, care coordination, and family supports through over 4,300 visits each year. We are passionate about creating an equitable society where children with disabilities and their families thrive. This means centering kids and families who are most vulnerable to harm in our work. All of the infants/toddlers we serve have a disability or substantial developmental delay, and most are of meager/modest means with 83% qualifying for Medicaid. Our staff and board reflect the experiences of disability and varied marginalized identities of the populations we serve. We have a 50-year track record of success serving our community, with immense growth over the last five years. We use a relationship-based approach to create a solid foundation for each child, considering the family’s strengths, needs, and challenges. We work with families to transform a child’s developmental trajectory so that they can fulfill their potential. We also support parents with knowledge and skills to become lifelong advocates for their children. Early support services are known as one of the most cost-effective investments because children receive support at the key time when 85% of brain development is taking place. Children and families graduate from our programs with improved holistic well-being empowering them to have better life-long health, education and economic outcomes.