Local Commission Funded Programs
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Columbia County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA):
Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court proceedings. -
Columbia County Juvenile Department, Intensive Probation:
Intensive probation is provided to a limited, specific, at risk Juvenile Department population to decrease recidivism. -
Columbia County Mental Health (CCMH), Skills Trainer Program:
Skills trainer provides voluntary, intensive, individualized, time-limited, in-home services to youth ages 0 to 18 and their families using the best practice family centered approach of focusing on strengthening the family infrastructure. -
Columbia County Mental Health (CCMH), Teen and Family Transition Program:
Services are offered to middle school and high school youth and their families. All services are strength based and delivered at school, in the home, and in the community. The goals of this program are to decrease juvenile arrests and family conflict.
Columbia County Story: Teen and Family Transition Program -
Community Action Team (CAT), Healthy Start:
Healthy Start offers home visiting, parent education and referrals to services for at risk first birth parents and their children up to age 3.
Local Commission Advocacy
Empty Bowls
In 1990 a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students solve a problem. They were searching for a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world. Since then Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger.In Columbia County bowls are created by Scappoose and St. Helens High School students. Silent auction items are donated by individuals, businesses and artists. The event is held in March with all proceeds donated to the Columbia Pacific Food Bank. For information about how to become involved or for tickets, please call the Commission at 503-397-7211.
Literacy
Reading is key to life long learning and success. The Commission on Children and Families encourages children of all ages and families to read and helps by donating books throughout Columbia County. Gently used and new books are accepted as donations at the Commission office. They are given to families throughout the year at the Holiday Book Bag event, reading programs, schools and city libraries. For information about donating books, please call the Commission at 503-397.7211.
Safe Kids Columbia County
The Columbia County Early Childhood Team staffed by Columbia County Commission on Children and Families is advisory to the Commission on Children and Families (Commission). In this role, the Commission is also the lead agency for the Safe Kids Columbia County Coalition (Coalition). The Mission of the Coalition is to reduce unintentional childhood injuries and death. Towards achieving the Mission, the Coalition values the following:
- Uniting diverse groups and individuals;
- Developing and implementing educational programs;
- Initiating public policy changes; and
- Increasing awareness within local and regional communities of the problems of childhood injuries and death.
The Coalition also manages the Child Safety Seat event. Please visit our "Training and Events" tab for event information. Visit the SafeKids website at www.safekidsoregon.org for information about bike safety, window falls, poison prevention, fire and burn prevention, Countdown2drive and other child safety injury areas. Call 503-397-7211 for more information.
Healthy Kids
Healthy Kids is a program that provides no or low cost health care coverage for Oregon children and teens who do not have health insurance. The Commission on Children and Families provides oversight and resources for our local enrollment and outreach. To be eligible for the program, children must be 18 or younger, live in Oregon and families must meet income tests. Healthy Kids expands Oregon Health Plan by offering more health coverage options to more families. For more information visit the Healthy Kids website at www.oregonhealthykids.gov or call the Columbia County Outreach Coordinator at 503-396-3834.