WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – More help is on the way for families with young children who are still recovering from December’s devastating floods.

Whatcom County announced that it has awarded $750,000 to a pair of local nonprofits through the Healthy Children’s Fund.

The Whatcom Long Term Recovery group received $500,000 to support its housing stabilization services.

“As families recover from the December floods, housing stability remains one of the most urgent needs,” said Ashley Butenschoen, communications director for the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group. “This grant from the Healthy Children’s Fund allows us to quickly bridge critical gaps, helping families impacted and ensuring children ages 0 through 5 are safe, secure and ready to learn.”

Skookum Kids was also awarded nearly $250,000 to provide specialized support to vulnerable families who were affected by the storms.

“For many families, storms and flooding were just one more thing piled atop the mountain of challenges they already faced,” said Ray Deck III, director at Skookum Kids. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Whatcom County Health and Community Services to support as many of these families as we are able.”

The Healthy Children’s Fund Flood Recovery Program was approved weeks after last December’s flooding and is funded through a voter-approved property tax.

According to the county, upwards of 177 families who were affected by the floods met the criteria to receive support through the program.