One team. One plan. Progress you can see and they can feel.
Ripple Path Services provides respite, mentorship, and practical support to families across Whatcom County — from newborn care through the transition into adulthood. Support that meets a child where they are now, and builds toward where they're going.
No referral needed. We reply to every inquiry within two business days.
- Who we serve
- Young people ages two through twenty-one, and newborns through 24 months for in-home respite
- Where we work
- Throughout Whatcom County, in homes, in the community, and remotely
- How we begin
- A conversation, then a plan shaped around your family
Where we can help
Situations families bring to us.
A new placement just arrived, and your household needs support
Respite arranged around your household's schedule, without a lengthy intake process.
Read moreA young person could use one steady adult in their corner
A single assigned mentor working toward goals your family helps set, including school organization and daily life skills.
Read moreTurning eighteen brings a lot of change, and a lot to prepare for
Guidance through DDA eligibility, SSI, ABLE accounts, and the decisions that arrive with adulthood.
Read moreA sibling deserves attention and space that's entirely their own
A monthly peer group, plus individual mentorship time for the sibling of a child who needs significant support.
Read moreSchool's out, but work isn't
Full-day, structured community day camps through winter, spring, and summer breaks.
Read moreGetting ready to live independently, with real preparation
A multi-week program covering household management, communication, and the practical work of independence.
Read moreQuick reference
Services by age.
Who we serve
Families managing more than most people see.
Ripple Path Services works with foster and kinship caregivers, families raising a child with a developmental or intellectual disability, families of youth with behavioral support needs, and families of at-risk youth. Services are available to youth ages two through twenty-one across Whatcom County, with newborn respite available from birth.
How we work
What is different about working with us.
A plan shaped around your child, not a program they fit into
Every engagement opens with a conversation about what your family is managing and what you want to change. From that we write goals together, and those goals direct the work rather than sitting in a file. Progress is recorded at agreed intervals and shared with you, so you can see whether something is working instead of guessing.
People prepared for this work specifically
All direct-support staff are required to complete Washington State background screening and role-specific preparation before meeting your family. For mentorship roles, hiring priority is given to candidates who have lived through foster care or the developmental disability system themselves.
You will not explain your child's history again
Families are assigned one point of contact for scheduling, questions, and updates, and that person already knows your situation. If we are not the right organization for what you need, we will say so directly and point you toward someone who is.
Where we work
Bellingham, and throughout Whatcom County.
Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Custer, Birch Bay, Deming, Sudden Valley, and Lake Whatcom. Ripple Path Services works in one county by design.
See our service areaQuestions
What families ask us first.
With a conversation. Call or write to us, describe what your family is managing, and we will talk through which of our programs fits, how it would work in practice, and what to expect. If we are not the right organization for what you need, we will tell you plainly and suggest where else to look.
That is your choice. Coaching and transition navigation can be delivered in your home, out in the community, or remotely by phone or video, whichever works better for your family and your schedule. Respite and day camps are in person by nature.
That depends on the service and current availability. We will give you a straight answer on the first call rather than an estimate that shifts later.
A named mentor, matched to your child during intake and introduced to you before any work begins. Everyone in a direct role is required to complete Washington State background screening and role-specific preparation beforehand.
No. Families are welcome to contact us directly. We also accept referrals from schools, healthcare providers, agencies, attorneys, and courts, and either route reaches the same intake conversation.
Services are privately funded. Flexible payment arrangements and sliding-scale options may be available, and we discuss this openly during intake so families understand the arrangement before anything begins.
Most families' circumstances shift over time. Goals are reviewed at agreed intervals, and families frequently move between our services as a child grows or a household's needs change. You are not committing to a fixed arrangement indefinitely.
For referring professionals
Schools, agencies, and providers can refer directly.
Referrals are acknowledged within two business days.
Start a conversation.
Tell us what your family is managing. We will listen, explain what we can offer, and be straightforward if we are not the right fit.