Findings provide data to guide local health jurisdictions and community partners





News Release [ [link removed] ]




*For immediate release:* February 9, 2026                             (26-019)

*Contact:* DOH Communications <[email protected]>

**Statewide Child Wellness Survey shows Washington families are resilient but face barriers to basic needs, childcare, and healthcare **

"Findings provide data to guide local health jurisdictions and community partners "

*OLYMPIA* – New data from Washington’s Child Wellness Survey (CWS) [ [link removed] ] 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, childcare, and transportation.  

The survey, which focuses on families with children ages 6 months to 5 years, provides one of the most comprehensive statewide snapshots of early childhood and family well-being in Washington. 

“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, MD, MPH, State Health Officer. “We hope the survey's findings will inform policies and planning to better support the health of children and families.” 

*Key Findings: Family Strengths* 

Results show 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. 

*Key Findings: Ongoing Challenges* 

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, PhD, MPH, DOH’s Population Survey Supervisor. “They also underscore the crucial role that safe and resilient families, neighborhoods, and communities play when times get tough.” 

*About the Survey* 

The Washington State Department of Health modeled the CWS after King County’s Best Starts for Kids Health Surve [ [link removed] ]y  [ [link removed] ]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.  

*National Context* 

While population-based surveys focused on children under age 5 are relatively uncommon nationwide, available national data suggest Washington families are experiencing similar patterns compared to families across the country. For example, the 2023 National Survey of Children’s Health, conducted at a smaller scale and using different methods, shows that about 9 in 10 families nationwide report excellent or very good health among their young children, comparable to Washington’s results. In addition, roughly 2 in 3 caregivers nationally definitely agreed that their child is safe in their neighborhood, also similar to Washington’s findings.   

*Local Impact* 

Results from the CWS are shared with public health partners and community organizations to help identify priorities and allocate resources where they are needed most. 

“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, MPH, Data & Evaluation Manager, 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 [ [link removed] ] about the survey.  

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