Children, Family and Community Connections

July 2024–June 2025

Our work for children, youth and families, focuses on programs and activities that promote well-being, reduce harm and improve health and education outcomes. The Prevention Unit is part of Children, Family & Community Connections (CFCC) Division of Clackamas County Health, Housing and Human Services Department.

Prevention Unit

Funding

Over 60% of our budget directly supports non-profit organizations and community partners.

Revenue

• State funds (34%)
• County funds (29%)
• Federal funds (18%)
• Other funds (19%)

Our work includes

• Domestic Violence Response
• Early Learning
• Parenting Education
• Substance Use Prevention
• Youth Engagement

Specialized Services

Through agreements with community partners, we supported:

• Child abuse medical assessments
• Services for children of incarcerated parents
• Therapeutic classroom and home-based services for children and families at risk of abuse or neglect

Community Responsive Work

• Empoderando Familias
• Youth Action Board
• Services in Different Languages
• Parent Advisory Council
• Culturally Specific Initiative for
• Domestic Violence Response

For more info

Jessica Duke
Prevention Unit Manager
jduke@clackamas.us

Domestic Violence Response

Our Domestic Violence (DV) Systems Coordinator provides support, coordination and consultation to the countywide community response to domestic violence.

95 Collaborative Meetings led towards system response improvement in both local and statewide DV efforts.

Through a federal grant, staff assisted with 621 Restraining Orders

Domestic violence is a primary reason why survivors find themselves homeless.

At A Safe Place Family Justice Center, Grant-supported staff assisted with 716 Follow up contacts with participants

13 Trainings 

Covering the following topics

• Strangulation Response
• Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kits
• Sexual Violence Response
• Statewide Prosecutors
• Family Justice Center Services
• Law enforcement Response
• Emergency Medical Response

1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime

71 Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kits (SKITs) completed in Clackamas County. Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. Use of SKITs improves medical assessment of strangulation survivors.

Created the first statewide Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kit (SKIT) Website offering information for law enforcement and medical personnel.

For more info

Sarah Van Dyke
Domestic Violence Systems Coordinator
svandyke@clackamas.us

Early Learning

The Early Learning Hub of Clackamas County (ELHCC) is funded by The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care with state and federal funds. Our Early Learning Hub connects and coordinates early learning and family support services throughout the county.

50 families received scholarships for their early learning/childcare needs. 21 Local programs received a total of $105,000 to support families.

202 Children Enrolled in Preschool Promise

Preschool Promise (PSP) is a publicly funded program for free preschool to families with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Families enrolling in Preschool Promise are referred to other resources needed to improve early learning success for their children.

9 Public Health Outreach Videos 

Produced videos on 9 public health topics for community education, home visits and school parent nights. Topics included positive childhood experiences, well child checks, immunizations, screen time, nutrition, literacy, firearm safety, and tobacco and marijuana prevention. Each video is available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Local families participated in making each video. All videos are available online.

Community Events

• 38 car seats installed for families at no cost at a community car seat clinic
• 240 children participated in KidoKinetics large motor playgroups
• 40 Professionals participated in the Playful Inquiry Conference
• 37 families visited the regional Early Childhood Fair at Gladstone Center for Children and Families

30 Little Free Libraries 

Little Free Libraries offer opportunities for families to take home free books or trade in books their family has outgrown. You will find these libraries all around the county at DHS offices, school districts, Head Start and Preschool Promise sites. Over 2,000 books have been distributed to free libraries to support the love of reading and promote literacy in our community.

Professional Development

• 105 providers trained at Early Literacy Conference
• 115 providers trained at Cards for Connection Kindergarten Readiness Summit

For more info

Dani Stamm Thomas
Early Learning Hub Director
dstammthomas@clackamas.us

Parenting Education

Clackamas Parenting Together (CPT) is our parenting education hub. CPT is funded through the Oregon Parent Education Collaborative with state, federal and private funds. CPT offers parenting education classes for all ages of childhood.

390 parents across Clackamas County participated in parenting classes which are free, evidence-based, and culturally responsive.

97% of parents participating in our programming said they would recommend our services to others.

Parenting from the Inside Out 

62 parents, many of whom are incarcerated or on probation, participated in classes proven to reduce recidivism and improve family relationships and parenting skills.

Parent cafe training 

20 participants were trained to host parent cafes: a low-barrier, community-building family support model

Increased Confidence

Families participating in parenting classes reported significant growth in understanding their goals and values as parents, as well as how to protect children from unsafe situations.

While classes are open to anyone regardless of income, 75% of participants identified as low income and used at least one public resource such as WIC, OHP, SNAP/TANF.

Class Topics Included:

• Mindful Parenting
• Positive Discipline
• Changing Generational Cycles
• Dynamics of Temperament
• Substance Use
• Safe Sleep
• Potty Training
• Emotional Regulation
• Self-Care

Our motto: “Because every family needs strong roots”

For more info

Sophia Butler
Parenting Education Hub Director
sbutler@clackamas.us

Youth Engagement/Substance Use Prevention

We support substance use prevention programs and coalitions that focus on positive approaches, highlighting the natural strengths and abilities that young people have to help them grow and develop in the best way possible.

893 Youth participated in Positive Community Norms classroom presentations, resulting in a measurable increase in understanding that most peers do not use drugs or alcohol.

Reaching Community

• 581 people participated in forums to learn about and share their experiences in substance use prevention
• 439 people shared perspectives through surveys

12 Coalitions & Workgroups

Working to prevent substance use

• Clackamas Community Alliance (CCA)
• Clackamas County Prevention Coalition (CCPC)
• Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
• Vibrant Futures Coalition - North Clackamas
• Empoderando Familias
• Estacada Prevention Alliance
• Oregon City Together (OCT)
• Community Living Above (CLA) - West Linn/Wilsonville
• Canby Prevention Coalition (CPC)
• Statewide Marijuana Prevention Affinity Group
• Tri-county Prevention Collaborative
• Youth Action Board (YAB)

PreventNet Community Schools

93% of youth participating in PreventNet programming reported feeling more connected to their school and community.

Youth Action Board 

Provides consultation to Clackamas County and partner organizations to assure programs are accessible, relevant and impactful for youth. Members completed 15 projects related to: 

• Housing
• Parks and Recreation
• Substance use prevention & services
• Statewide alcohol and drug policies

Positive Youth Development

• 304 youth received individual health and academic support
• 901 youth participated in peer discussion circles
• 1,884 youth engaged in activities fostering growth and resilience
• 453 youth and parents connected with prevention staff at outreach events

5,581 People strengthened Capacity, Connections & Awareness 

Participating in activities that:

• Built youth skills, resilience and connection
• Increased awareness of substance misuse
• and its effects on the developing brain
• Reinforced community prevention efforts
• Provided prevention tools and skills

8 Trainings - 119 Participants

Topics included:

• Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)
• Active Parenting
• Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST)
• Naloxone for Overdose Prevention
• Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care
• Treating Co-occurring Opioid Use & Mental
• Health Needs

For more info

Brian McCrady
Prevention Specialist
bmccrady@clackamas.us 

Adopted 2/28/96
Revised 10/22/98
Revised 2016
Revised 3/4/2019

Article I: General Provisions

Section 1. Name

The Clackamas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council, formed by the Board of County Commissioners' Order No. 95-934, as required by the passage of Senate Bills 1 and 1145, 1995 Legislative Session, pursuant to ORS 423.560, shall be referred to herein as the Council or LPSCC.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of the LPSCC is to develop and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners, plans for the use of state and local resources to appropriately and effectively address the local adult and juvenile offender populations; to develop and recommend, a plan designed to prevent criminal involvement by youth; to coordinate local criminal justice policy among all criminal justice entities; to provide support for programs that strengthen and preserve families.

These plans shall be developed according to the principles of personal responsibility, accountability, and reformation within the context of public safety and restitution to the victims and to the community. Plans shall provide for a continuum of sanctions and services for both juvenile and adult offenders that, when combined, result in a seamless system that embodies the above principles while emphasizing the prevention of criminal activity generally. All plans developed and approved may be revised as conditions warrant.

Section 3. Reports

All plans developed by the LPSCC are advisory in nature and must be submitted for approval and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. It is recognized that not all plans would receive unanimous approval of the Council. In these cases, a minority report may be filed by 1 or more dissenting members. Minority reports shall be submitted to the Chair of the LPSCC as an attachment to the plan approved by the majority and shall be submitted jointly to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration and approval.

Section 4. Interpretation

These by-laws shall be liberally construed to meet the general purposes of the Council.

Article II: Board members of the LPSCC

Section 1. Members

The Council shall consist, at a minimum, of 14 members, to include nonvoting members selected by the Superintendent of State Police and a representative of the Oregon Youth Authority. Other members shall be as follows:

• A police chief;
• The Sheriff;
• The District Attorney;
• A State Court Judge;
• A Public Defender or Defense Attorney;
• The Director of Community Corrections;
• A County Commissioner;
• The Juvenile Department Director;
• The Health Director;
• The Mental Health Director;
• A representative of community-based non-profit organizations that provide services to victims of crime
• At least one lay citizen;
• A city councilor or mayor;
• A city manager or other city representative;
• Manager of the Clackamas Branch of the Department of Human Services.
• Director of the Clackamas County Children, Families and Community Connections Division

Additional positions may be created or deleted by an affirmative majority vote of members when a quorum is present.

Section 2. Terms

Members will serve for a term to be determined by the appropriate appointing authority. Elected officials will serve for a term concurrent with that of their elective offices. Department Directors will serve for the length of their employment in that position. All members will continue to serve until the Chair of the LPSCC is otherwise notified by an appointing authority.

Section 3. Vacancies

In the event of a Council vacancy, the Chair of the Council shall notify the appointing authority as designated in Article II, Section 1, within fourteen (14) days of knowledge that the vacancy exists.

Section 4. Rights of Members

All members shall have equal rights and privileges except as otherwise provided by these by-laws.

Section 5. Compensation

The members of the LPSCC shall serve voluntarily and are not entitled to compensation, unless service on this Council is part of their regular employment. Obligation for compensation, where due, is the responsibility of the individual employer and not the LPSCC. The LPSCC may establish a reimbursement policy for necessary expenditures related to the Council's business.

Article III: Officers of the LPSCC

Section 1. Officers

The officers of the LPSCC shall be the Chair and Vice-Chair and such other officers as the Council may determine to be necessary. Officers shall be elected by majority vote at the last regular meeting of the year and assume office at the first regular meeting of the fiscal year. Officers of

the LPSCC shall serve for terms of two (2) years and are eligible for re-election.

Section 2. Duties of the Chair

Except as otherwise provided herein, the Chair shall have the duties and power to:

• Preside over all meetings of the LPSCC;
• Direct the preparation and distribution of agendas for all Council meetings;
• Vote on all questions before the Council;
• Call special meetings of the Council in accordance with these by-laws;
• Appoint committees and chairs thereof;
• Sign all resolutions or other documents arising from formal Council action;
• Shall represent the Council in all conferences or activities involving inter-organizational or intra-organizational planning and coordinating, unless another Council member is so
• designated;
• Shall function as the official spokesperson for the LPSCC in correspondence and with the media, unless another Council member is so designated;
• Perform other such duties as may be directed by the LPSCC.

Section 3. Duties of the Vice-Chair

During the absence, disability or disqualification of the Chair, the Vice--Chair shall exercise or perform all the duties and be subject to all the responsibilities of the Chair.

Article IV: Committees

Section 1. Creation and Appointment of Committees

The Chair shall have the authority to create committees and to appoint the members, subject to confirmation by the Council. Members of committees are not required to be members of the LPSCC. Terms of members shall be for a set time established by the Chair, until the project is completed, until the member resigns, or until the member is replaced by the Chair. All committees shall be advisory in nature and have no authority to act on behalf of or commit the LPSCC to any position or act.

Section 2. Effect of Committees

Committees cannot reverse decisions made by the LPSCC and must report all their actions at the next Council meeting. All meetings of committees shall be conducted in accordance with the public meeting and records law of the state of Oregon. The LPSCC retains the right to reject, amend, or accept in full or in part, any recommendations, positions or suggestions of any committee.

Article V: Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held at locations to be determined by the LPSCC. Meeting locations and times shall be established with due consideration of the needs and schedules of members and accessibility by the general public and other interested parties. Notice of each regular meeting shall be sent to members together with the proposed agenda for that meeting. The agenda may

change as matters arise.

Section 2. Cancellations

A regular meeting may be canceled or rescheduled by the Chair if a lack of quorum is apparent or for other good cause.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special and emergency meetings and executive sessions of the Council may be called upon notice as provided in the public meeting law, by the Chair or by a majority of the LPSCC members.

Section 4. Attendance

If a member is unable to attend a meeting, the member, as a courtesy to the Chair and other members, shall notify the Chair or designated staff. Any member who misses three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without excuse or notification of the Chair of an extended absence may be subject to a recommendation for removal and replacement to the appropriate appointing authority upon majority vote of the LPSCC. Members may attend either in person or by conference call, so long as everyone participating in the meeting can hear and communicate with each other.

Members attending by telephone conference may be counted toward achieving a quorum.

Members may not vote by proxy or via email.

Section 5. Voting/Quorum

Each member, including the Chair, but with the exception of the non-voting members, are entitled to vote at a meeting, regular or special. Non-voting members are entitled to actively participate in discussions and the members of the LPSCC shall take into consideration the interests of non-voting members.

A quorum consists of a majority of the voting members of the full Council. If a quorum is present at any meeting of the council, action may be taken by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum.

Section 6. Rules of Procedure

The latest edition of Roberts' Rules of Order shall be used to resolve any procedural dispute not provided for in these by-laws or capable of being resolved by consensus of the members.

Section 7. Public Comment

Time will be provided on all agendas for comment by the public and other interested parties on issues before the Council. The Council, in the form of the Chair, retains the right to place time limits on the public testimony of individuals. At the Council's discretion, certain interested parties may be invited to participate in the discussion of the Council on issues germane to their areas of expertise. Written comment and information provided by interested parties should be directed to the Chair and will be included in the meeting packets of the LPSCC for consideration and discussion by members.

Article VI: Additional Requirements

Section 1. Public Records

The public records of the LPSCC and its committees are subject to inspection pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law as now in force and hereafter amended (ORS 192.410- 192.502).

Section 2. Records Exempt from Public Inspection

Any public record exempt from disclosure or inspection under any applicable law shall not be subject to disclosure except as otherwise determined by the LPSCC.

Section 3. Public Meetings

The Oregon Public Meetings Law as now in force and as hereafter amended (ORS 192.610 - 192.690) shall apply to all regular and special meetings of the LPSCC and any committee thereof as required by law except as otherwise exempted by any applicable statute.

Section 4. Conflicts of Interest

a. Declaration. The Council is subject to ORS Chapter 244. ORS 244.010 to 244.047, and 244.120 to 244.130, define conflicts of interest and establish protocols for members of public bodies in Oregon. Council members are expected to declare a conflict of interest consistent with their positions prior to consideration of any matter causing a potential or actual conflict.

b. Potential conflict defined. A potential conflict of interest exists when a Council member takes an action that reasonably could be expected to have a financial impact on that member, a relative, or a business with which the member or member's relative is associated. The Council member may participate in an action after declaring the potential conflict and announcing its nature.

c. Actual conflict defined. An actual conflict of interest exists when an action is reasonably certain to result in a special benefit or detriment to the Council member, a relative, or a business with which the member or member's relative is associated. The member will declare the actual conflict and announce its nature. The member must then refrain from taking any official action, except when the member's vote is necessary to achieve a quorum. When a vote is necessary to achieve a quorum, the member may vote, but may not participate in any discussion or debate on the issue out of which the actual conflict arises.

Article VII: Amendments to By-Laws

Section 1. Amendments

Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by any member of the Council. A copy of the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Chair. The Chair shall distribute or cause to be distributed the proposed amendment in writing at least seven (7) days prior to action on the amendment. These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the current voting members of the Council at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose and at which all voting members of the Council are in attendance. No amendment to these bylaws is effective until approved by the Board of County Commissioners, or designee.