2004-2005 Priorities & Work Plan (Adopted March 18, 2004)

This work plan is a summary of the Commission’s roles, priorities and key projects.  The work plan helps us stay focused and be accountable to the community. It is a living document that is changed as needs arise.  We would like to hear from you.  Please address comments or suggestions to:

hillary_saraceno@deschutes.or.us

Our Mission

"Healthy children, strong families and supportive communities."

Our Emphasis: Prevention

The Commission on Children & Families endorses the “Vision for our Community” contained in the 2001-2010 Community Plan.  We promote our community’s responsibility to help County residents in need and to address a wide range of issues identified in the Community Plan.  We believe that the health of our community depends on a continuum of effective prevention, intervention and treatment services. 

Our main emphasis will be the prevention of community problems.  We will use our resources to help prevent social problems that destroy lives, harm families and tax our public safety, education and human service systems.  We will invest our time, money and influence in prevention efforts.  We will collaborate with others to promote and implement evidence-based programs and projects. We recognize and encourage the efforts of others who play an equally important role in treating problems and ensuring public safety. 

Our Capacity

A 15 member lay Board, ex officio members. 5.75 staff (FTE), a 28 member Agency Council, a 2003-2004 adopted budget of $2.7 million and committee volunteers.

Our Roles

“STRATEGIZE” – Identify and help solve community problems affecting children and families.  We work with community partners to promote the Community Plan and address critical community issues.   

1. Community Plan Event– Co-sponsor a fall 2004 event to a) recognize community successes called for in the Community Plan and b) address critical community issues.
2. System Improvement– Work with the Council to address four Community Plan “System” priorities: a) Public Information Project, b) Volunteer Center, c) Community Campuses and a d) Donation Center. 
3. Special Reports – Council review of 4 issues: a) Mental Health, b) Homelessness, c) Hunger and d) Positive Youth Development. Written report to the Commission and County Commissioners.  (2003 Community Survey priorities).
4. School Partnership – Take steps to foster greater communication and collaboration.  Based on priorities in the 2003 Schools Survey, work to promote and sustain the Family Access Network, the First Steps Program and the Youth Conference.
5. “Opportunities for Collaboration” – Meet with United Way and C.O. Partnership to review our priorities, minimize duplication and increase effectiveness where possible.

“ADVOCATE” – Encourage policies and actions that are in the best interest of children and families.

1. 2005 Legislative Agenda– With the Governing Board and the Council, prepare a clear, focused agenda, meet with legislators and offer assistance during the 2005 session. 
2. Continue Waiver – The SB 555 1999 waiver expires in 2005.  It allows our County to invest in early childhood projects that prevent crime long term.  Seek a way to continue the waiver.
3. State Transfer – When appropriate, advocate for local management of services to children and families that would otherwise be managed by a state agency.  This is an option available to Deschutes County through HB 2003 (1993 legislative session) and HB 2473 (1995 session).
4. Equity - Continue to represent Deschutes County in funding formula discussions that impact children and families.  The policy platform will be based on demographics, current data, and an objective measure of need.  Current examples: a) relief nurseries, b) mental health treatment and c) alcohol and drug prevention and treatment.

“FUND” – Secure and invest resources for the benefit of local children and families.

1. Grants– Manage at least 11 grants and 20-25 contracts including decision-making processes.  Conduct the 2004 Request for Proposal process; negotiate and prepare contracts.
2. 2004 Request for Proposal – Complete a grant process that invests an estimated $100,000 in programs that benefit high-risk families 0-8 with an emphasis on ages 0-3.
3. Accountability – Conduct annual site visits of local contractors, quarterly desk reviews, state and federal reports, and quarterly Board reports.
4. Service to County – Manage community grants at the request of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.  Report to the Commissioners on contractor performance.
5. Extra Help – Where feasible, seek students or Vista-type help to support key projects. 
6. Grant Writing – Apply for grants as opportunities arise.  Current emphasis: Readiness to Learn and the Through the Eyes of a Child calendar.  Provide support letters whenever possible. 

“EDUCATE” – Inform the public about issues, services and community service opportunities.

1. 10^th Anniversary – Conduct activities to increase awareness, recognizing 10 years of service by the Commission and our partners.  Includes media (TV, radio, print), web site, and press kit.
2. Through the Eyes of a ChildCalendar – Work with area photographers, TBD Advertising and two local non-profits to produce 2005 Calendar promoting “youth assets”, providing mentoring opportunities and funding of two children’s organizations.
3. Candidate Forum – Conduct a fall 2004 forum to bring greater awareness to candidate viewpoints on issues that affect children and families. 
4. Annual Report – Produce this yearly summary of our efforts and results.

Our Priorities

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION .  We support family violence prevention with an emphasis on child abuse prevention.  Through public awareness, we help promote a community norm against violence ... “Not in my home, not in our community.”

1. Relief Nursery – Help strengthen and support the MountainStar Relief Nursery including increasing their capacity and benefit.  Advocate for equitable funding of Oregon programs.
2. Ready Set Go – Promote and invest in this home visit service designed to provide critical social and health services and supports to first time mothers and families with the intention of helping to assure optimal early child development and healthy family dynamics.
3. Planning for Supervised Visitation (Safe Havens) – Manage a two-year federal grant to research and design a supervised visitation program for children and non-custodial parents.
4. Workplace Policies – Promote development of violence prevention work place policies and procedures in cooperation with local employers.
5. Five-Year Plan – Participate on the local Prevention Board in support of the County’s Plan.
6. Coordinator – House the community Family Violence Prevention Coordinator in the Prevention Office.
7. Family Violence Prevention Board – Continue to participate and join with other members in supporting their efforts where possible.
8. Grants 03-04 – Ready Set Go, MountainStar Relief Nursery, CASA, and LifeSpan Respite.  Intervention: KIDS Center, COBRA. 

READINESS TO LEARN AND EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS .  We help develop and promote an accessible, high quality system of early childhood programs.

1. Child Care – Co-sponsor the Central Oregon Child Care Initiative to retain quality providers, increase employer involvement, develop a model child care center(s), strengthen the resource and referral system and develop an annual report card.
2. Seek Resources – Seek federal or foundation resources to support our local system of services for high-risk families with young children (possible collaboration with Multnomah County).
3. Grants 03-04 - Child Care Grant, Family Access Network, First Step, Healthy Beginnings, Healy Heights, SMART.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CRIME PREVENTION.   We promote and support youth development opportunities that reduce risk behaviors in our young people.

1. Youth Conference– Support the annual conference (350 middle and high school youth); focusing on positive youth development and the prevention of youth risk behaviors.
2. Community Teams – Continue to manage our multi-year “Drug Free Communities” Project, supporting prevention teams in LaPine, Redmond and Sisters.   Work to sustain this effort.
3. Life Skills – Through an Americorps volunteer, promote use of this research-based, substance abuse curriculum (helping over 300 students in at least six middle schools).
4. Equity – Continue to advocate for equity in substance abuse and mental health funding in conjunction with the Mental Health Board and others.
5. Evidence-Based Practice – Invest crime prevention funds using the results of the Greenwood Report, SB 267 and other data.  Assure projects are cost effective and based on evidence.
6. Service Continuum – Adopt an updated description of the County’s juvenile justice service continuum.
7. Grants 03-04 – Ready Set Go Parole & Probation, First Step, Family Trax, Prevention Teams (LaPine, Redmond, Sisters), SOAR, Alcohol / Drug Assessments (Redmond and Sisters), Level 7 Project (Community Justice). Intervention: Maplestar Treatment Foster Care.

PARENTING AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT SKILLS .  We support family skills training through evidence-based programs.  Through public awareness, we help promote a community theme, “Building healthy families by strengthening parenting skills”.

1. Cherish Every Child – Through the CO Family Resource leadership, help for this public awareness campaign is under consideration.
2. Grants 03-04 – Family Trax, Together for Children. 

Operational Improvements

1. 2 Relocations and 1 Consolidation – Relocate the Commission Business Office and the Prevention Office into a single office in the Deschutes Services Building (fall 2004).  Note: preceded by a second Prevention Office move in the spring of 2004.
2. Planning Team Report – Implement recommendations of the Board’s 2003 Planning Team as well as a fall 2004 work session with our Governing Board and Council.
3. By-Laws – Update the by-laws to reflect changes and potential improvements in our operation.
4. Efficiencies in Work - Work with all five social services departments (Health, Mental Health, Juvenile Community Justice, Adult Prole/Probation, and the Commission on Children & Families) to assess current infrastructures and identify efficiences that could occur through departmental partnerships.