1990 Brigid Collins Begins Serving Whatcom CountyIn the late 1980s a group of professionals recognized a need for more
timely, sensitive, and effective treatment for child sexual abuse in
Whatcom County. In 1990, they formed an organization to meet these
needs, naming it after Sister Brigid Collins, a Hospital Administrator
and Child and Family Advocate dedicated to improving the lives of
children and families. Brigid Collins House achieved nonprofit status
six months later. Later renamed Brigid Collins Family Support Center,
our programs have grown and expanded with the needs in the community.
1991 Child Sexual Abuse Program Major advancements in the treatment of sexual assault occurred in the early
1990's. Several therapists helped develop a cutting edge and effective
group therapy model that is now used at Brigid Collins Family Support
Center. And a few of them are still involved in the program. We credit
them for giving us a strong foundation for helping victims of child
sexual abuse in Whatcom County.
1993 Funding Crisis Prior to 1994, our primary funding came from one state sexual assault grant.
Adult survivors and child victims of sexual abuse were both eligible
for services under this fund. In late 1993, the fund was cut by 50%.
Our Board responded by declaring that all current and future resources
would be dedicated to serving children and adolescents. Adult survivors
were referred to Whatcom Crisis Services.
1994 Mission Evolution & United Way Agency FundingBrigid Collins Family Support Center’s original mission was to treat sexual
assault victims and prevent child sexual abuse. In 1994, we developed a strategic plan for prevention that included all forms of child abuse. With this in mind, the Board of Directors adopted our new mission… to break the cycle of child abuse in Whatcom County. Our vision is that all families in Whatcom County will be strong and healthy and therefore less likely to engage in unhealthy and abusive
behaviors toward children.
Brigid Collins became a United Way agency in 1994. Our first allocation was $31,000 for the Family Support Team. In 2007, Brigid Collins received $87,660 to expand the Family Support Team case management program. United Way support is essential for Brigid Collins to keep our programs mission driven and resilient to other funding fluctuations.
1996 St. Joseph Hospital and Healthy Families Healthy Families Whatcom County showcases our innovative approach to designing services. This primary prevention program helps parents beginning with the prenatal period. St. Joseph Hospital supports Healthy Families,allocating over $500,000 since 1996.
Our Healthy Families research gives us reliable information about program efficiency and the impact on the family. So far, we know that our screening tool is an effective predictor of prenatal risk for abuse, that children in our program have a healthier more nurturing home environment, and that our children have language skills three times greater that those in a control group.
1999 Garden Street Family Center Brigid Collins House moved from 1210 Indian street to 1231 North Garden Street
on September 15, 1999. On January 26, 2000, we honored the late Sister Brigid Collins by dedicating our facility to supporting the healthy development of ALL families in Whatcom County. Improvements on the 15,000 square foot building began in March 1999, supported by a grant of $120,000 from the St. Luke's Foundation. The facility is now home to four non-profit child and family organizations.
1994 –1999 MergersThree organizations have merged with Brigid Collins. In 1994, we added a 20 year old volunteer parent mentor program called the Family Support Team. In 1995, we merged with Parents Helping Parents (PHP), formerly known as Parents Anonymous. PHP is a weekly drop-in parent and child support group that began in 1985. In 1999 we merged with the Foster Parent Association of Whatcom County to expand support for foster children and the foster parents caring for them. Our mergers help us achieve our mission and ensure that these vital programs remain available to at-risk families in Whatcom County.
In 2002, Brigid Collins received funding from the Washington State Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to provide the Growing Together Program. This program makes up 14% of Brigid Collins total budgeted revenue in 2007 (or $224,000). Growing Together is a program for pregnant and parenting women who are suffering from various addictions.
2005-2006 Three New Programs Added- Parent-Child Interactive Training (PCIT) - program that offers intensive one on one coaching for at-risk parents and their children.
- Whatcom Integrated Services Host (WISH) - program funded by the Gates and Allen Foundations which will develop a cutting edge database management system for human service programs throughout the state.
- Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) - advocacy center for children who are victims of crime(including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect).
2007 Present DayBrigid Collins continues to experience tremendous growth in programs, personnel, and our increasing ability to respond to the changing needs of the community. Brigid Collins Executive Director and Board of Directors are providing the visionary leadership required to radically improve the lives of Whatcom County families now and into the future.
