Whatcom County Table of Ten
Our mission is to be a builder of safe, stable, and healthy families.
We value:
- parents as partners
- connections with supportive others and community resources
- recognizing and preserving family relationships when appropriate
- the culture and uniqueness of each child and family
- children and families getting the necessary services when and where they need them
- opportunities for children and families to engage in appropriate assessments and services as early as possible.
Core Strategies
1. Provide skill building programs to all families when and where they need them.
2. Address isolation by creating a circle of support professionals, non-professionals, peers, and other natural support resources.
3. Develop an enhanced engagement process targeting a timeframe 3-10 days post filing.
4. Develop an enhanced facilitated referral process / protocol that makes use of a navigator to assist the parent in engaging in services quickly.
5. Develop a system so parents have more timely access to attorneys at the shelter care hearing.
6. Develop "pull sheets" for community services and have them access able at court.
7. Develop "Standard Operating Procedures" describing the roles and responsibilities of each person involved in the dependency process.
Critical Behaviors
1. Invite service providers to attend shelter care hearings for immediate engagement with parents.
2. Schedule service appointments and follow up with parents at shelter care hearing.
3. Use the wisdom of veteran parents.
Whatcom County Table of 10 Members
Commissioner Martha Gross, Whatcom County Superior Court
David Reynolds, Whatcom County Juvenile Court Administrator
Melissa Nelson, Assistant Attorney General
Jennifer L. Tepker, Defense Attorney
Kathy Ramsey, Area Administrator, DSHS Children's Administration
Kathy MacNaughton, Clinical Director, CCSNW
Byron Manering, Executive Director, Brigid Collins Family Support Center
Anne Larson, Executive Director, Northwest Youth Services
Colleen Rogers, Whatcom County Guardian ad Litem Services
Representative Kelli Linville, Washington State Legislature