Whatcom County staff outlines gaps and local gains for children with special health care needs

Summary

At a Healthy Children’s Fund task force meeting, Whatcom County health staff presented data showing high early-intervention usage locally, service gaps in school-based supports and Medicaid reimbursement constraints, and highlighted local successes such as a new regional developmental evaluation capacity and the SEAS referral line.

Catherine de Filippio, a Whatcom County Health and Community Services staffer, told the Healthy Children’s Fund task force that children and youth with special health care needs face fragmented services and inequities across screening, school supports and health care coordination.

"Disability is a natural part of the human experience," Catherine said, framing why the county needs integrated supports rather than a purely medical model. She said Whatcom County’s entry point for early intervention—SEAS—helps families navigate the system and likely contributes to higher local ESIT enrollment: "In Whatcom County in 2024, there's 1,439 kids," she said.

Catherine said state-level data show Washington has service shortfalls: roughly 21% of children and youth are estimated to have special health care needs and the state ranks near the…

Whatcom County staff outlines gaps and local gains for children with special health care needs

Summary

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