Whatcom County Health Department changes its name

The Whatcom County Health Department announced on February 3 that it has changed its name to Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) to represent the department’s growing responsibilities. 

WCHCS increased its oversight of human and community services last April when the department launched its Response Systems Division. The division serves people in mental or behavioral health crises as well as builds infrastructure to support housing needs, according to a February 3 WCHCS press release. 

“The updated name reflects Whatcom County’s ongoing commitment to providing community-based services,” WCHCS director Erika Lautenbach said in a statement. “Our increased breadth of work, while all associated with health and health outcomes, warrants the inclusion of our community and human services functions.”

Staff email addresses and the website address will remain the same, while signage and other WCHCS materials will change.