Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive residential and community-based mental health services for adults living with severe and persistent mental illness in Whatcom County and surrounding areas. The center’s approach is rooted in understanding the unique needs of its clients and supporting their journey to recovery. The foundation of care at this facility is individualized, meeting clients where they are and helping them reach their personal goals for health, independence, and fulfillment.
A primary focus of Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center is offering 24-hour supervised living programs that cater to individuals seeking to transition into the community, as well as those requiring long-term care. The organization owns and operates multiple Assisted Living Facilities designed specifically for adults who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The Agate Heights residence is one of its well-known programs, offering a healing and safe environment for residents in a serene setting surrounded by natural beauty.
The center’s clinical programs are structured to provide intensive, coordinated, and integrated care with both home-based and community-based treatment options available. Multidisciplinary teams work together to deliver support that is tailored to each individual's treatment plan and personal aspirations. Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center emphasizes psycho-social rehabilitation, focusing on a model that promotes social and personal growth as well as psychiatric and medical stability.
A critical component of the center’s work is providing housing solutions through the operation of eight apartment complexes within the community. Most of these apartments are two-bedroom units that are fully furnished and supplied with essential kitchen utensils, linens, and small appliances, and are often shared with roommates. These living arrangements are designed to be both safe and affordable, and the center collaborates with community partners to help clients access rental assistance and housing subsidies, ensuring long-term stability.
Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center also recognizes the broader life challenges faced by its clients and extends support beyond clinical care. Assistance is offered for issues such as employment and education, financial and legal concerns, and overall social well-being. With this holistic approach, the center strives to facilitate a supportive environment where adults with chronic mental illness can work toward their highest possible level of independence and quality of life.
To increase accessibility, Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center provides a Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program that allows for affordable care based on family size and income. The center takes pride in valuing and honoring the diversity of its clients, fostering a community in which each person’s uniqueness is embraced and respected as they move forward on their path to recovery.