1. Whatcom Center for Early Learning is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
agency that provides comprehensive, family-centered early
intervention services to children ages birth to three with
developmental delays. The Board of Directors is a volunteer
group that includes community members and parents who
have been involved in our program.
WCEL provides early intervention services following the
guidelines of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) Part C. The Early Support for Infants and Toddlers
(ESIT) is a program of Washington State Department of
Early Learning (DEL), which directs the coordination of the
statewide system of early intervention services for children
who are eligible based on evaluations or a diagnosed
condition.
We contract with the Opportunity Council, which is the
Local Lead Agency for ESIT services in Whatcom County.
We also receive funding from United Way, Whatcom County
Division of Developmental Disabilities Administration, and
annual fundraising activities.
For further information call Single Entry
Access for Services (SEAS) referral line at
360-715-7485
www.wcel.net
del.wa.gov/development/esit
www.coachinginearlychildhood.org
Whatcom Center for Early
Learning provides comprehensive,
family-centered early intervention
services to children ages birth to
three with special needs.
2001 H St. Bellingham, WA 98225
360.671.3660 | info@wcel.net
Whatcom
Center for
Early Learning
Our Programs
Early Intervention Program: Providing
individual planning, coordination and services for
eligible children age birth to three years old with
developmental needs.
Sensational Toddlers: Providing a variety of
sensory and social play group experiences to all
children ages 18 months to 36 months with parent
supervision.
Ferndale Toddler Time: A community play
group that meets once a week in Ferndale for children
birth to 5 years old with their caregivers.
Parent to Parent: Providing education and
support to parents, siblings and families of children
at any age with developmental needs.

2. We believe that parents and
caregivers are the most important
people in a child’s life, and that
young children learn best when they
are doing activities they find fun
and interesting in their home and
community.
We also believe that daily routines
and activities provide a great
opportunity to develop foundational
and functional skills.
Our team
is composed of therapists, Early
Childhood Special Educators, and Family Resources
Coordinators that partner with families throughout
Whatcom County to enhance and strengthen the capacity
of the caregiver to understand and support their child
with developmental needs.
Our early intervention services
offer a research based service delivery model that is
referred to as the “Primary Service Provider” (PSP)
approach, which designates one team member from the
WCEL team to serve as a service provider to the family
and child. The provider is chosen based on family
priorities and a child’s developmental needs. Coaching is
the is a process and style of interaction used by the staff to
build the capacity of family members and other important
care providers to promote the child’s learning and
development in ways that are unique to each family and
child. The provider also receives coaching from the WCEL
team, and joint consultation with another team member
is available when needed. Each family also has a Family
Resources Coordinator that supports coordination and
planning, and assists the family to access resources as
needed.
Research
has shown that supporting the child and family’s interests,
routines, rituals, and priorities promotes a child’s existing
abilities and learning of new skills.
The expected outcomes
of early intervention services include:
• Children will demonstrate positive social-emotional
skills including social relationships with others, acquire
and use knowledge and skills, and use appropriate behav-
iors to meet their needs.
• Parents and caregivers will know their parent rights,
effectively communicate their child’s needs, and help their
child develop and learn.
The benefits to children include:
• Increased well-being, resilience and self sufficiency.
• Greater involvement in community life.
• Increased readiness to learn and participate in school
programs.
The benefits to families include:
• Increased confidence and competence in the ability
to provide learning opportunities and advocate for
their children.
* Vital connections with community resources and
networking with other families facing similar challenges.
The benefits to the community
include:
• 30% of toddlers exiting from early intervention no
longer need special education services.
• Children and families are able to be active and successful
participants in the community during the early childhood
years and into the future in a variety of settings-in their
homes with their families, in child care and preschool.