Children & Families Committee

Growing Healthy Communities

The Children & Families Committee’s interests span pre-maternity education through birth, childhood development, early learning and the empowerment of parents.

Healthy childhood development begins before pregnancy with the health of the mother and the family into which the baby will be born. The Children & Family Committee’s interests span pre-maternity education, support for pregnant mothers and their partners, the health of the baby at birth, the development of the child from birth on, and the support and empowerment of parents as promoters of their child’s development.

Inequities and negative social determinants of health disrupt normal child development and can lead to poor adult health and social functioning. Mount Baker Foundation’s committees work collaboratively with the population served and with other community agencies and service providers to address the root causes of health disparities. Our approach is two- and three-generational and strives to support the strength, health and resiliency of the family. 

For example, an early focus of this committee has been on the need for significantly more family-friendly childcare defined as early learning in the context of accessible full-day childcare so the parent(s) can work or attend school.