Early Parenting Support
Care and Support for You and Your Child
Becoming a parent can come with a lot of questions—especially when you’re trying to figure out what support exists and where to start. Opportunity Council works alongside families to help babies and children grow, learn, and thrive during some of the most important years of bonding and healthy brain development.
You don’t need to already know program names or what to ask for. We can help you take the next step.
Home visits & Early Head Start (pregnancy through age 3)
If you’re pregnant or parenting a baby or toddler and want support that’s consistent and relationship-based, home visiting can be a great place to start.
Opportunity Council offers an Early Head Start weekly home-visiting program that begins with prenatal services and continues until your child’s third birthday.
Families can get help with:
- Pregnancy and early parenting, including learning what to expect and building confidence as your family grows
- Health, nutrition, and wellness, to help give your child a strong, healthy start
- Family goals and next steps, based on what matters most to you and your family
- Weekly home visits focused on early learning, with hands on activities that encourage play, exploration, and strong parent child relationships
Play & Learn — free weekly groups (no registration required)
If you’re hoping to get to know other parents caregivers and learn simple ways to support your child’s learning,
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups are a welcoming place to start.
Play & Learn groups help families prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. Caregivers and family members are invited to attend free weekly, facilitated play groups and learn activities they can do at home. No registration required.
Learn more about Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups at Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington.
Concerns about development? SEAS can help you figure out next step.
If you have concerns about your child’s development—or you’re just not sure what you’re seeing—you don’t have to figure it out alone. SEAS is an Opportunity Council partnership through Whatcom Taking Action that helps families navigate developmental concerns by helping them connect with experts and resources and schedule screenings and evaluations.
SEAS is available for:
- Families and healthcare providers seeking services in Whatcom County for children birth to age 5
- Children with known or suspected health care/developmental needs from birth to age 21
- Prenatal and postpartum parents who want help connecting to mental health services
For Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) referrals: please call the SEAS line.
Call SEAS: 360-715-748
Pediatric dentistry — help finding the right dental care
Finding dental care for infants and toddlers can be hard to navigate. We can help you understand your options and connect with dental providers who work with young children—so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Opportunity Council works with the Washington state Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) system of care to help families find dental care for young children, including referrals through ABCD’s statewide network.
When don’t know what you need, you just know you need help.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s normal. Pregnancy, babies, and little ones are a lot to manage on their own. Help is available in a system with a lot of doors. It’s just not always clear which one you’re supposed to walk through.
You don’t need to already know program names or categories to take the next step. We’re here to help. No pressure and no judgment.
Reach out online through our contact form
Call for help navigating services
Still not seeing what you’re looking for? Explore more support for your child and family, including options for child care, preschool, and help paying for care.