Compass Health Named Community Partner of the Year

Compass Health’s Whatcom Outpatient team has been named Community Partner of the Year by Bellingham Public Schools with their Promise Awards. In its sixteenth year, the Bellingham Promise Awards “highlight the exceptional work of select honorees that make a significant difference in [Bellingham’s] schools and community.”

Eight awards are handed out annually, focused on highlighting employees of Bellingham Public Schools with the exception of Volunteer of the Year, One Schoolhouse Award (open to volunteers in addition to employees), and Community Partner of the Year. Criteria to evaluate nominations is based largely on The Bellingham Promise. Compass Health’s Whatcom Outpatient program exemplifies the Bellingham Promise, and all of its core beliefs through their school-based programming where our clinical team members are embedded in every school in the Bellingham Public Schoool district – either physically or through remote options. Each student has an individualized program based on their needs and focused on their strengths, working with other key adults such as teachers, parents, and other partners such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, medical providers, etc.

The Whatcom Outpatient team has significantly expanded their presence in the school districts throughout the county over the past few years. This includes telehealth options to allow a variety of ways for accessible connection for those who may otherwise find in-person options a barrier to connect with services. The Whatcom Outpatient team has also expanded programming to cover the summer break with free weekly mental health programs and enrichment activities for students. This program also included free online evening webinars for families and guardians of children in the program to connect them to the therapy process and help them to potentially better understand their children’s diagnosis, how to get involved, etc.

Join us in congratulating the McCloud-based team and thank you to Bellingham Public Schools for highlighting so many excellent educators, volunteers, and partners who make our communities stronger!

Photo credit: Bellingham Public Schools