New data from Washington’s Child Wellness Survey (CWS) shows that families with young children across the state demonstrate strong resilience and problem-solving skills, even as many continue to face challenges meeting basic needs such as housing, food, child care and transportation, according to a news release from the Washington state Department of Health (DOH).
“The Child Wellness Survey gives us insight into how young families in Washington are finding their way in a changing and often difficult world,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, state health officer. “We hope the survey’s findings will inform policies and planning to better support the health of children and families.”
The survey, which focuses on families with children ages 6 months to 5 years, shows most Washington families with young children report high levels of problem-solving and resilience and generally believe their children are healthy:
• About 98% of children live in families that find ways to navigate challenges.
• About 92% of children live in families where family traditions are important.
• About 95% of children live in families that feel able to solve problems.
• 91% of caregivers rate their child’s health as excellent or very good.
At the same time, the survey highlights barriers that affect families:
• About 20-30% of families report having unmet basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation.
• About 25% of families needing healthcare referrals for their children reported difficulties getting them.
• About 25% of families lack access to the childcare they need.
“The findings show young families in Washington are navigating challenges while supporting their children,” said Maayan Simckes, DOH’s population survey supervisor. “They also underscore the crucial role that safe and resilient families, neighborhoods and communities play when times get tough.”
The DOH modeled the CWS after King County’s Best Starts for Kids Health Survey and adapted it for statewide use to capture the voices of parents and caregivers across Washington. By focusing on families with children ages 6 months to 5 years, the CWS fills an important data gap and provides insight into an age group that is often underrepresented in population health surveys, the news release stated.
“Data on resilience and social connection are hard to come by for this age group, yet they are important for understanding children’s basic needs and for informing public health response,” said Neil Panlasigui, Skagit County Public Health epidemiologist. “The work we do will benefit from this information, and we can plan future projects around some of the data indicators.”
“The CWS aligns with many local and statewide initiatives,” said Linden Obel, data and evaluation manager for Washington Communities for Children. “It will ensure we’re allocating resources in ways that are intentional and truly centered on what families and communities want and need.”
Explore the CWS results and learn more about the survey at https://tinyurl.com/3wa4tbnv.
