Big Brother/Big Sister of the Columbia Gorge

Let yourself be a kid again! Volunteer just a couple hours a week to be a big brother or sister to a local child who needs a friendly, caring, and supportive adult mentor. Do fun things together or go special places with your little brother or sister. Just a little bit of time can make a huge difference to a child! For Klickitat County information call Beth McCullough at 509-493-2788 or http://www.nextdoorinc.org/bbbs.htm, or Randy Johnson for Skamania County at 360-891-8382.

Birthing Classes

These are offered to new parents-to-be at local hospitals or birthing centers. Check with your doctor, nurse-midwife or other health care provider to learn about when these classes are scheduled. Refresher classes are also available if you are expecting another child.

White Salmon /Skyline Hospital: These classes for mothers and their partners meet once a week for six weeks, starting at 7:00 pm. Classes are FREE regardless of where you are delivering. Call 509-493-1101 for more information and to find out when next series is scheduled.

Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles: All classes are held in the Medical Center Office, Plaza Conference Room A, 1700 E 19th Street, The Dalles. To pre-register for any of the following classes, please call First Impressions, 541-296-7210.

Three Week Series classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm for 3 consecutive weeks.
Weekend classes are held Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Snacks provided, lunch is on your own.

Providence Hospital in Hood River: Childbirth & Parenting Classes: Call the Education Center to sign up at (541) 387-6340. Participants learn about nutrition, exercise, relaxation, labor, breathing techniques, teamwork with partner, birth, and newborn care and feeding. There will be a tour of the hospital’s Family Birth Center. Each class series for first time mothers/partners is five nights (Wednesdays). Cost for the five-class series is $38.00 for those who plan to deliver at PHRMH and $60.00 for those who plan to deliver elsewhere. For more information regarding curriculums, specific childbirth education, or Family Birth Center questions, please phone 541-387- 6336. Classes are held from 6:30-9 PM in the PHRMH Education Center, Conference Room 1. Parking for these classes is available in the north lot, 13th Street side of the hospital.

Child Profile: The Immunization Program

An Email address is available that can be used by LHJs, health care providers, schools, child care centers, and the general public as an alternative method to contact the Public Health Nurse Consultants.

E-mails are confidential and will be responded to by one of the Immunization Program CHILD Profile Public Health Nurse Consultants within 3 business days.

Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/providers/ask-nurses.htm

Email address: immunenurses@doh.wa.gov

Children Cope With Divorce

Provided for divorcing parents with children, custody proceedings or paternity actions. Parents in Skamania and Klickitat County are required to attend this four hour seminar. If required to attend, please call the Klickitat County Family Court at 509-773-7544 or Skamania County Court at 509-427-9443. You may call 509-493-3400 to request a registration form. You may also call the training coordinator at 509-575-4858, or email tvitello@cwcmh.org

Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and are mandatory by order of Skamania and Klickitat Superior Courts.

Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health presents the material as supplied by Families First, a United Way agency. The cost is $50.00, but may be reduced to $20.00 with a waiver of your filing fee.

A certificate of completion is provided at the end of the seminar.

Classes are held in Goldendale the first Saturday of April, June, August, October, December and February.

They are held in White Salmon the first Saturday of March, May, July, September, November and January.

All classes run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Topics include visitation issues, helping children with the trauma and transition divorce brings, and pitfalls to avoid.

It is NOT a counseling session.

Child care is not provided, please do not bring children.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Program serves Native Americans/Alaskan Natives living in Clark, Skamania,

Lewis, Pacific and Cowlitz Counties who have a disability and need help finding employment. The

program is able to assist clients with any barrier to employment.

This can include mental health, physical, chemical dependency, sexual assault and health education. Counselor provide individual counseling, job referrals, assessments, on the job training, job development, education prep including G.E.D. and tuition, books, supplies, assistive devices and assistive technology. We are also able to help pay for tools, clothes, glasses, transportation, housing, child care and other barriers to employment. Contact Karyn Carterby-Keys at (360) 575-3319

Family Help Line/Parent Trust of Washington 1-800-932-HOPE (4673)

Contact: Margaret Edgar

The Family Help Line is an immediate, confidential, and free telephone service for parents who need support

with the tough job of parenting. The Family Help Line is a service of Parent Trust for Washington Children.

The help line provides a safe place for parents to talk about their concerns and receive support and information to help them become better parents. They also provide free parenting tip sheets and brochures on a wide variety of topics that can be mailed to callers for no cost. www.parenttrust.org/for-families/parenting-advice/

Family Reconciliation Services/Family Preservation Services

Provided by counseling agencies under contract with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Children and Family Services(DCFS), these services provide intensive in-home crisis counseling sessions aimed at keeping families together. They are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Responses to requests for intervention are met within 72 hours. Phone numbers for DCFS offices are 509-773-5460 in Goldendale / 509-493-4814 in White Salmon / 509-427-2300 in Stevenson, WA

Families Of Prisoners

Click here for a list of resources available for Washington families with an incarcerated individual. More information will be provided soon. A good website to check is the Family and Corrections Network at http://www.fcnetwork.org/ . Among their resources are free printable brochures and handouts for families and children with incarcerated parents. Local schools offer support for students with an incarcerated parent and training for staff to help those children. Ask for that support. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has produced a program for all public schools to help guide them in services for children who have parents in jail.

Another good source of information and support is through the Department of Social and Health Services. Often it is hard for families who have a family member in jail or prison to handle finances, keep in touch with their loved one, care for their children and keep the family safe and healthy. Children with parents that are locked up need support, as do caretakers for those children. In addition, when a family member returns from jail or prison, the return home can also be challenging.

There are services available at DSHS and from other agencies and groups to provide support and help families meet their needs. Check this site for more information:http://www.dshs.wa.gov/incarcerated/#incarcerated

Foster Parenting

Required training available for people interested in becoming a licensed foster parent. Debbie Haupt of

Washington Division of Children and Family Services is the contact for these classes and trainings

for both Klickitat and Skamania County. Classes are approximately 8 hours and are held on

several Fridays and Saturdays. Background checks, in home assessments and inspections

also take place. She can be reached at 509-773-7483. Providers also need CPR, HIV training,

First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen Training. A TB test is required. Licenses are valid for three years.

Providers must also have 12 hours per year of continuing education classes to maintain licensing.

Functional Family Therapy

Provided through Klickitat County Juvenile Services, and Skamania County Juvenile Department, Functional Family Therapy is a family based intervention program for parents of at risk youths or those involved in the juvenile justice system who are acting out through violence, drug abuse and conduct disorders. It uses a series of counseling sessions to help families develop positive communication skills, improve conflict management, and gain supportive parenting strategies while overcoming negative/blaming family behaviors. Intervention ranges from 8 to 12 one-hour sessions on up to 30 sessions of direct service for more difficult situations. Sessions are held in clinic settings as outpatient therapy and as a home-based model.

Call 509-773-3776 /1-800-355-9069 for more information.

Healthy Beginnings™

This program is also available at the Klickitat County Health Department. The Healthy Beginnings™ program is for early childhood professionals who recognize the value of applying early brain research and caregiving strategies to nurture social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in young children (prenatal to age 5). The innovative curriculum was developed by C.H.E.F., the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation based in Seattle, WA.

Based on the latest research, the Healthy Beginnings program explains what's going on in the brains of young children and provides information about what to do to nurture development. The phone number for the Health Department in White Salmon is 509-493-1558, and in Goldendale 509-773-4565.

Hello, Baby

Sponsored by Ft. Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) in Southwest Washington State. With a goal of encouraging parents to read to their babies and to make a connection to the library, these bags contain two free books, library information, parenting tips, health and development information, an "Every Moment Counts" publication and a coupon to be redeemed for another free book. Hello, Baby book bags are distributed in local hospitals, high school teen parenting classes, health departments, faith based organizations, doctors offices, FVRL branch libraries and Department of Social and Human Services offices. Hello, Baby bags are offered in several languages.

FVRL branch libraries have over 700 parenting resources. Their catalog lists many parenting books and video sets that can be checked out and viewed in the comfort of your home. You can access the library through your home computer, order what you want and have it shipped to you directly, or to your local library. Try these search terms:

PARENTING, PARENTING PART-TIME, JOINT CUSTODY OF CHILDREN, CHILD REARING, GRANDPARENTING, PARENTHOOD, DISCIPLINE, NEW PARENTS, STEP PARENTS, SINGLE PARENTS, DIVORCED PARENTS,TEEN AGE PARENTING.

Kinship Caregivers Support Program

Are you stepping up to the challenge of taking a relative's child into your home?

Do you work with families who need help with basic needs to take a related child into their home?

Washington State legislators have set aside funds to help relatives with the costs associated with taking a related child into the family home. The Children's Home Society of Washington administers these funds.

Grandparents and other relatives raising related children under 18 who are not involved with a Child Protective Services case are encouraged to call 360-695-1325 extension 4232 for more information. One-time funds can be provided for items that benefit the child (clothing, furniture, car seats, special program needs, for example) or for the caregiver to allow the caregiver to take care of the child (immediate food, utilities, gas, car repairs, for example).

We encourage relatives to apply - the application form is easy, income eligibility is generous, and we really to want to support relatives taking on this challenging task. Click here for a downloadable information sheet.

For an eligibility and contact form, click here. Call Lauren Head at 360-695-1325 extension 4232 for more information.

Legal Voice

Legal Voice believes that giving people information about their legal rights in Washington empowers them to make decisions and advocate for themselves and their families.

You can look at and download information on many subjects. http://legalvoice.org/tools/ Just click on one of the topics to see our free materials. If you do not see your legal issue or problem, or you just want to talk with someone about your rights, call our Legal Information and Referral telephone line (I&R):

To talk with someone about your rights, call our Legal Information and Referral telephone line (I&R):

We do not give legal advice, just information!

206-621-7691

Toll Free: 866-259-7720

TTY: 206-521-4317

Our volunteers can give you information about Washington law, referrals to community services and attorneys in private practice, assistance with problem-solving, and self help materials.

Legal Voice does not have the resources to:

Give legal advice over the telephone line (we give accurate legal information, but not advice).

Have attorneys on our staff to represent individuals.

Provide a list of attorneys who will represent people for free.

Meet with callers; we assist people by telephone only.

Love and Logic

These popular programs are for families with children ages six to eighteen. They based on the teachings of Jim Fay, a former school principal and his son Charles, a child psychologist. It uses humor, hope and empathy to help adults learn how to provide opportunities for children to make choices, learn limits, accept responsibility and understand consequences. Area agencies occasionally offer this program for parents. A five week program is also available for parents with children ages one to six.

Schools also find it helpful with their teaching staff. There may be a small fee to cover costs of the program. Call 1-866-631-1997 to find out if a class is being offered locally.

Make Parenting a Pleasure

Make Parenting a Pleasure is a 10 to 12 week parenting education and support group program for parents

with children aged from newborn to eight years of age. Learn to motivate your kids, set limits, reduce stress

and improve family relationships. It is also frequently offered in Hood River through New Parent Services

in both Spanish and English.

The WIC office (Women, Infants & Children) also has information on children's health and nutrition and parenting young children.

Maternity Support Services (Klickitat County Health Department)

Eliminated due to budget cuts

New Parent Services Hood River, Oregon

http://www.nextdoorinc.org/nps.htm

New Parent Services was started in 1989 in Hood River with the goal of supporting and strengthening families with young children across the county. Our core program is Healthy Start, which provides a “Welcome Baby Visit” to all first-time parents and weekly home visits to new families experiencing extra stress in their lives. Our trained and caring Home Visitors provide baby care and child development information, promote bonding and attachment, and teach positive parenting skills. Taking on the role of mentors, our Home Visitors help parents create stable, nurturing, loving homes for their children. Call 541-308-2233 to learn more.

In addition to our Healthy Start home visiting program, we operate the Parenting Education Program, providing a variety of parenting classes throughout the county. Our classes are for parents of children of all ages and include the best practice curricula “Make Parenting a Pleasure,” “The Incredible Years” and “Strengthening Families” series. We also organize several Play Groups for parents and their newborns and young pre-schoolers. Our “Children’s Closet” is open to any families that would like to either donate or take gently used baby clothing, toys and baby equipment.

Northwest Justice Project

Helping Low-income People Find Solutions to Civil Legal Problems Topics include Family Law, Housing, Government Benefits,Civil Rights, Consumer and Debt and many others. This website has self-help information, and can link to legal aid providers. The site is provided in many languages.

http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org

Parents Again & Generations United (For Grandparents/Relatives)

These programs and support groups help grandparents and other relatives cope with the challenges of raising a family all over again. In Goldendale call 509-773-3630 to learn more.

Both Klickitat and Skamania County Senior Services also provide information for families in these situations.

Klickitat County Senior Services can be reached at 509-773-3757 in Goldendale, or 509-493-3068 in White Salmon. In Skamania County, dial 509-427-3990.

Call Lauren Head at Children's Home Services in Clark County, also at 360-695-1325 extension 4232 for more information.

Parent Services/Washington Gorge Action Program

Energy and Winter Heating Assistance Programs

Call Jan Pearo at 509-427-8229 or 509-493-2662

Food Bank

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am to 3 pm, east end of Bingen. Stevenson and Klickitat both have sites now, also. Please call for times and days when open.

Skamania County Infant & Toddler's Early Intervention Program

This program provides services for children birth to three with disabilities and their families. Services to eligible children are designed to meet the development needs based on their Individual Family Service Plan. For information on eligibility and services, please call Michelle Given 509-427-3865

Skamania County Developmental Disabilities

This program and services are designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and supports based on individual preferences, needs and capabilities. The goal is to promote typical routines, relationships and activities common to most citizens in our community. Funding is limited, and needed services are not always available. Please call 509-427-3865 for details.

Guided Path Homeless Shelter & Affordable Housing

White Salmon - 509-493-4234.

Second Hand Rose 223 West Steuben, Bingen, WA Open 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Closed Sundays & Mondays

A wonderful community resource. Gently used clothing for children and adults, books, toys, kitchen ware and other household items. The prices are very affordable and the selection is great. They now accept debit cards.

For more information on any of the above services, contact Washington Gorge Action Programs, 1250 E Steuben Street, Bingen, WA 98605 Phone: 509-493-2662 * Fax: 509-493-4430 In Goldendale call 509-773-6834, in Stevenson call 509-427-8229.

Parenting Through Divorce and Separation

A 2.5 hour workshop for parents who are experiencing divorce or separation. Workshop is offered once per month on Thursday evenings 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm* in Vancouver. A certificate of participation is awarded. $25.00 fee. For more information, directions to workshop or to register call 360-823-0423. Registration and fees must be received prior to attending. Click here for a downloadable registration form that you can fill out and then mail with the fee. Offered through the Volunteer Lawyers Program in Vancouver, Washington.

*May be subject to schedule change-please call ahead!

Parenting With Dignity

A motivational curriculum developed by the Drew Bledsoe Foundation. It emphasizes a positive

approach to parenting that is reportedly simple, intuitive, easily understood, and applicable in any situation,

The program encourages parents and caregivers to rethink their approach to discipline, punishment and empowerment. Parenting With Dignity advocates permitting children to make some of their own decisions,

and to experience the consequences early on so they can act responsibly when away from parents or under

peer pressure. This program consists of ten videos and facilitator manual and is available at Programs for

Peaceful Living in White Salmon, WA, 509-493-1553, toll free 1-800-352-5541 or in Goldendale 509-773-6100.

Programs for Peaceful Living

Programs for Peaceful Living is a department of Washington Gorge Action Programs offering the following:

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Client Services

Community Outreach and Education

Parent Support

Safety Planning

Victims of Crime and Assistance

1250 E Steuben Street Bingen, WA 98605 509-493-2662 * toll free 1-800-352-5541 * Goldendale 509-773-6100.

1-800-562-6025 Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline Toll Free

Domestic Violence can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and spiritual abuse.

Not all of these behaviors are crimes, but they are all abusive.

Abusive behavior can involve the following:

* Deprivation of food, sleep and money. * Isolation * Blocking or restraining someone from leaving.

* Destruction of victim's possessions. *Threatening/abusing children.

* Physical abuse, including hitting, kicking, pulling hair, biting, etc.

* Playing mind games. * Calling names / intimidating / threatening.

* Intimidation with a weapon. * Unwanted touching.

* Dangerous driving to intimidate. * Forced intercourse, which is really rape.

* Humiliation / Guilt trips. * Not allowing access to family income.

A free support group meets weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 1-2:30. Call 509-493-2662 for more information.

SAFE-WA

SAFE WA is a network of family organizations focused on supporting parents and caregivers raising children with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. SAFE WA assists organizations in sustaining, strengthening and expanding their local networks. SAFE WA fosters partnerships with child-serving systems to increase the common voice of parents and caregivers in all child-serving systems and provides various types of trainings. Individual organizations belonging to SAFE WA provide various types of support, information, and training to families. For more information, call SAFE WA or the family organization in your area.

Parent Partner Program located in Clark County Dawn Grosz is the coordinator. dawn.grosz@co.clark.wa.us

(360) 397-2130 x7876

http://www.co.clark.wa.us/mental-health/documents/cocbrochure.pdf

Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

(509) 427-4210 anytime/24 hours for help and support with a domestic violence issue or concern.

1-800-562-6025 Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline Toll Free

Skamania County Crisis Resources

509-427-9488 Stop and Talk! There are solutions to all problems.

Teenline: 1-800-562-1240 for confidential 24 hour crisis help and interventions for teens.

Skamania Klickitat Early Learning Coalition

The Skamania Klickitat Early Learning Coalition formed several years ago to address a very real need---many children enter school in Skamania and Klickitat County lacking critical early learning skills. These aren't just knowing their A-B-C's and 1-2-3's. Children do their best in life when they have been provided abundant learning opportunities even before they take that first exhilarating step into school. Most babies, toddlers and children regularly exposed to music, reading, games, outdoor play, drawing and other everyday activities with a caring adult often enter school way ahead of the curve-ready, able and willing to learn.

Members include representatives of Ft. Vancouver Regional Library, Skamania Klickitat Community Network, Mid Columbia Children's Council, WeeCare of Stevenson, Klickitat and Skamania County Public Health, White Salmon Pre-school, Educational Service District 112 and White Salmon and Stevenson-Carson School Districts.

Our Mission:

To prepare our youngest children for success by connecting families and communities.

This is achieved by:

Emphasizing the crucial role of parents as their child's first teacher
Encouraging community based learning opportunities for children and families
Developing innovative methods of sharing knowledge, information and programs that contribute towards every child's health, development and future school success
Serving as advocates for the purpose of educating our communities about the importance of early childhood education.

Our Vision

In Skamania and Klickitat counties our youngest children are valued, nurtured and prepared for success in school and life by community investment in early learning.

Strong Families

Presented through Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health. This is a free program open to all parents. Emphasis is on problem solving, limits and consequences and positive discipline. The program typically runs for 7 weeks, with two sessions per week for a total of 13. Free child care is provided.

Strengthening Families

The Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 Years is a nationally

recognized curriculum that provides parent, youth and family education. The model is designed to be delivered in local communities for groups of 7-12 families.

Educational programs that bring parents and their children together in learning environments strengthen entire families. Healthy parent-child communication reduces the risks of both substance abuse and teen pregnancy among teenagers, factors that are related to youth violence, depression, school failure and cycles of poverty. WSU Cooperative Extension offers the Strengthening Families Program as a model learning program for families.

Parents and children participate in this program both together and separately. Strengthening Families is designed for high risk families. It provides science-based curriculum in three main areas: parenting skills, children's life skills and family life skills. The program is offered in seven sessions, with four "booster" workshops available.

Programs are available for parents of 10 -14 year olds. Please call 1-866-631-1997 for details.

Swindells Resource Center

The Hood River Center is a satellite office of the Swindells Resource Center in the Providence Child Center in Portland. We are a no-cost resource specifically for parents and family members in Oregon and Southwest Washington who have children with disabilities. The Center offers a lending library, parent education and speaker events, as well as a very useful Care Notebook and Organizer. Swindells Center staff works with each family to find out what their needs are and works to match them with the best resources. The staff works with other organizations to make a difference for families and works hard to not duplicate services.

The Swindells Center at Hood River is located in the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital's Health Services Building on May Street. We can be contacted at 541-387-8920, or toll free at 800-955-3911. More information is available at the Swindells Resource Center website: swindells@providence.org

The Incredible Years

Designed for parents with children age 3-12, this program is typically offered in two parts, one for parents

and one for children. Sessions run 11-14 weeks, two hours per week.

Topics include helping children learn to solve problems, manage anger, how to be friendly, how to talk to others and how to be successful at school. Setting limits for children, handling misbehavior and supporting children at school are also covered with parents. There are also sessions for teachers that go over many of the same issues. Schedule to be determined. This program is often offered in Hood River through New Parent Services.

THE NEXT DOOR, INC. Phone: 541-386-6665

P.O. Box 661 (209 Oak St.)

Hood River, OR 97031

Phone: 541-386-6665

The Washington Community Mental Health Council

Free Calendar of training and other services!

http://www.wcmhcnet.org/calendar.asp

Our hope is that this calendar will serve to increase the knowledge of providers of mental health services, consumers, advocates and family members, and the broader mental health community about educational opportunities on the recovery model, community mental health services and stigma reduction.

VOCA: Victims of Crime and Assistance 1-866-523-6468

24 hour hotline. These services are provided at no charge, whether or not the crime has been reported and or prosecuted. The services are bilingual and multi-cultural. Emotional support, advocacy and guidance is offered on how victims can navigate the criminal justice system. The lead agency in Skamania and Klickitat County is WGAP/Programs for Peaceful Living.

Work Source: White Salmon/Stevenson/Goldendale Affiliates

As part of the state-wide WorkSource system, South Central WorkSource centers and partners work to provide workforce training, services to business, labor exchange, services to special populations, and other resources available to every person and every business in our region. Below are just a few of the services we provide.

Resource Room - FREE access to computers, phones, fax machines, copiers, and Internet, all for your use in resume writing and job search activities.
Job Search Assistance - Let our staff and resources help match you with a job suited to your skills and career needs.

Workshops - Several FREE workshops are available. Topics include writing effective resumes, interviewing, dressing for success, financial planning, and more.
Unemployment Insurance Information - You can file a claim for unemployment insurance simply by dialing 1-800-362-4636. More information is available at go2ui.com, or from our WorkSource centers.

WorkSource Columbia Gorge Email contact: columbiagorge@esd.wa.gov

Serving western Klickitat County, including Klickitat, Lyle, Bingen, White Salmon and other points along the eastern Columbia River Gorge.

107 W. Jewett Blvd.

White Salmon, WA 98672

509-493-1210

FAX: 509-493-5000

WorkSource Goldendale

Serving eastern Klickitat County, from Bickleton and Roosevelt to Goldendale, Centerville and Wishram, and points between.

116 East Main

Goldendale, WA 98620

509-773-5503

Worksource Stevenson

Located in and serving Skamania County

704 SW Rock Creek Drive

Stevenson, WA 98648

Toll Free: (800) 511-7388

Phone: (509) 427-4464

Fax: (509) 427-3640

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