Issue 25 Spring 2026

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, when to schedule your child’s first dental visit, or how and when to start cleaning their teeth.

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program invites you to attend a free community event hosted by the Snohomish County Dental Society and Foundation on Thursday, February 19, from 3:00–7:00 PM at the Everett Children’s Museum
📍 1502 Wall St, Everett, WA 98201.

During this free event, parents and children can receive:

Free dental screenings
Toothbrushes
Floss
Toothpaste
Oral health education materials

Kids will also enjoy exploring the museum while learning about their teeth in a fun, engaging way. We look forward to seeing you there!

New You Can Video Contest for Youth

Following the success of our previous Self-Care and Calming Videos projects, which generated over 150 videos from youth sharing their self-care routines, happy places, and creating community, the You Can campaign is again partnering with Washington youth to co-create authentic, peer videos. This time, we are highlighting all the ways that teens show up for themselves and for others.

This is a chance for Washington teens to share how they care for the people who count on them, spark ideas among their peers, and be compensated for their efforts.

We’d love your help in promoting You Can’s How I Show Up video project to the youth in your life and those you work with!

This video project is open to everyone in Washington State, ages 12- to 18-years-old. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. Check out our Instagram and Facebook posts for more info, or go to our How I Show Up Video Project webpage for all the details.

Click here to view the flyer.

crisis line services for school professionals

Did you know that the 988 crisis line has services tailored specifically to school professionals? Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOA) 988 crisis line counselors can assist with options to help resolve your students' crisis, dispatch mobile outreach to a student's home, help with safety planning and ongoing suicide risk assessments and provide area hospital bed census. Call 800-584-3578 or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat any time you need assistance. You don't have to do the difficult work alone!

Measles 101: Protection Starts with Knowing

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be serious, and in recent years we’ve seen a resurgence of cases in the United States. While measles has been around for a long time and is well understood by medical and public health professionals, it remains an immediately reportable disease in Washington State, with well-established response protocols in place. Measles is also vaccine-preventable: one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective.

Because MMR vaccination is required for school attendance in Washington, most people are protected—helping reduce the spread through what’s known as community immunity. However, there are still areas with lower vaccination coverage where outbreaks can spread more easily. The good news is that rapid detection, isolation, and coordination between healthcare providers and Snohomish County public health can effectively stop further spread. Everyone is encouraged to know their immunity status. If you’re unsure or can’t locate your immunization records, a blood test can check for measles antibodies. If you’re not immune and haven’t been exposed, getting an MMR vaccine is a simple and effective way to protect yourself and your community.

time to review vaccination records

As measles activity continues locally and nationally, SCHD encourage schools and childcare staff to review measles readiness. Early review of records can help schools respond quickly and reduce disruptions if a measles exposure occurs. At this time, there are 11 confirmed measles cases reported in Snohomish County.

Up-to-date information about measles activity in Snohomish County is available on the Measles dashboard: https://www.snohd.org/1868/Measles-Dashboard.

The WA DOH has developed preparedness resources for schools and early learning settings:

Measles Preparedness for Schools: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/348-1100-MeaslesPreparednessSchools.pdf
Measles Preparedness for Child Cares and Early Learning: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/348-1099-MeaslesPreparednessChildCaresAndEarlyLearning.pdf