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Most clinic visits start with a check-up or a cough. But for nearly 7 out of 10 Washington families with kids, the most pressing health concern in the room isn’t something a stethoscope can catch —it’s not knowing how they will feed their children this week. 

According to the 2024 Washington State Food Security Survey, 68% of households with children struggled with food insecurity in the past month. For the doctors, physician assistants, and clinicians who see these families, it’s a difficult reality. They know that no amount of medicine can replace the foundational health that comes from consistent, nutritious food. 

A New Collaboration for a Healthier Washington 

We are so excited to share that WithinReach has teamed up with the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) for a two-year partnership to help clinics address food insecurity. 

As the statewide organizing entity for Help Me Grow Washington, WithinReach weaves together a growing system of nonprofit organizations, Tribal nations, health and social service organizations, providers, and state agencies to offer a full spectrum of supports to all Washington families with young children. Through this new collaboration—supported by the Physicians Foundation—we are bringing that “woven” system of support directly into the clinical setting. 

The “Art of the Referral” 

If a patient has a broken bone, the referral is easy: you send them for an X-ray. But what happens when a parent mentions they can’t afford the special formula their baby needs for allergies, or they are struggling to manage diabetes because groceries are too expensive? 

That’s where the “art of the referral” comes in. This May, our own Jackie Litzau is joining forces with Lyndie Simmonds and Dr. Francie Chalmers from Help Me Grow Skagit to present at the Physician Leadership Development Conference. Their presentation will reaffirm the importance of incorporating social needs screening into visits, what the “art of the referral” looks like, and will offer real world examples of how some clinics are meeting the social needs of their patients. 

 How Help Me Grow Steps In 

Think of Help Me Grow as a supportive neighbor for both the provider and the family. Providers can refer to Help Me Grow if they have a family that screens positive for food security needs. When a clinic refers a family to us, we don’t just hand them a phone number. We walk alongside them to: 

• Navigate the Basic Food (SNAP) application process. 

• Find local food banks or pantries that are close to home. 

• Get prepared for WIC applications. 

• Connect them to other essential services they might need, from child care resources to developmental screenings. 

The heart of this partnership is simple: when a provider sees a family in need, they have a trusted partner they know will connect their patients with the resources they need, when they need them. 

Let’s Work Together 

If your clinic is looking for a trusted partner to help families navigate food insecurity and other social needs, we’d love to connect. Our Partnership Manager for Child Health, Jackie Litzau, is currently welcoming new clinics into this effort. Reach out to Jackie at jackiel@withinreachwa.org to learn how we can support your team.