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Whatcom County parent says three-month emergency childcare voucher 'saved our lives' after job loss
Summary
A Whatcom County parent described how three months of emergency childcare vouchers from the Opportunity Council and support through the Healthy Children's Fund allowed her family to avoid immediate hardship after a February job loss; program funding sources were not specified.
A Whatcom County parent said three months of emergency childcare vouchers helped her family after she lost her job in February, allowing her toddler’s care to continue while she planned next steps.
The parent said she and her family contacted the Opportunity Council and “were approved for 3 months of childcare through their emergency voucher program. It really saved our lives.” She said the assistance eased immediate financial pressure and gave her time to consider longer-term options for employment and childcare.
“It gave me that time to internally digest what I was going to do and what was my next plan. I’m so thankful for that and for that opportunity,” the parent said, referring to the three-month voucher period. She said her child is about 2½ years old.
A staff member read a brief statement describing the Healthy Children’s Fund program and its role in county support services: “Emergency childcare vouchers are just 1 of the ways that the Healthy Children's Fund supports children and their families in Whatcom County. Learn more at healthychildrenfund.org.”
The parent’s statement did not identify the specific funding sources for the vouchers or whether the assistance is routinely available beyond emergency circumstances. Program duration in this account was limited to three months; additional eligibility criteria or follow-up supports were not specified.
For more information on the Healthy Children’s Fund, the statement referenced healthychildrenfund.org.
