OPEN ACES TRAININGS AND OPEN WORKSHOP IN SELF-REGULATION & RESILIENCE COMING UP IN MEDFORD
The Southern Oregon ACEs Training Team is offering ACEs sessions for all comers on Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, August 14, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the SOESD, 101 North Grape Street in Medford, as well as a workshop in Self-Regulation & Resilience on Tuesday, July 30, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm at the same location. Thanks to funding by our partner organizations, there is no cost for these sessions. Members of all agencies and the general public are welcome.
The ACEs training focuses on the science of N.E.A.R. (Neurobiology, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience), providing vital information on the impact of trauma on development as well as the core protective systems of resilience
The Self-Regulation & Resilience workshop offers a review of the N.E.A.R. curriculum (Neurobiology, Epigenetics, ACEs and Resilience) covered in the team’s ongoing ACEs trainings then moves to a focus on specific tools for self-regulation and resilience.
For the ACEs training session on July 23, please register here.
For the ACEs training session on August 14, please register here.
For the workshop in Self-Regulation & Resilience, please register here.
To schedule a training session or workshop for any group, or for more information, contact peter_buckley@southernoregonsuccess.org.
COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN ANNOUNCED
An unprecedented collaboration led by the Jefferson Regional Health Alliance has resulted in the publication of the 2019-2022 Community Health Improvement Plan for Jackson and Josephine Counties, titled “All In For Health.”
For the first time, our region’s hospitals (Asante and Providence), Coordinated Care Organizations (AllCare, PrimaryHealth and Jackson Care Connect) and federally qualified health clinics (La Clinica, Siskiyou Community Health Center and Rogue Community Health) joined together with the Addictions Recovery Center, OnTrack, ColumbiaCare Services, Kairos, Options for Southern Oregon, OSU Extension Service, the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics, Jackson County Public Health & Mental Health, Josephine County Public Health and the Rogue Valley Council of Governments to go through their mandated Community Health Assessment (CHA), which has now resulted in a region-wide Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
The process has included hundreds of people in health care, human services and the community at large. From all the data collected, all the focus group discussions and surveys completed, the plan that has evolved sets three prioritized areas of need: Behavior Health & Well-Being (mental health and substance use), Housing for All (safe, affordable, appropriate housing) and Families Matter (parenting support and life skills).
To read the proposed strategies and approaches for progress in these three areas, you can find the Community Health Improvement Plan, “All In For Health,” at the Jefferson Regional Health Alliance website.
HEARTS WITH A MISSION LEADS “SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN” PROGRAM
Hearts with a Mission, a remarkable local organization serving children and youth, is working with the Department of Human Services to administer and coordinate an innovative program for families in crisis, Safe Families For Children.
Kevin Lamson, Executive Director for Hearts With A Mission, explained that his organization has been implementing the Safe Families For Children program in Jackson County since 2014. “We brought the program with us to Josephine County in 2016 and opened a Hub for Safe Families in Lincoln County in January of 2019,” Lamson said.
As described by DHS, the Safe Families program provides opportunities for families to access supportive resources including host families for caregivers who may be experiencing crisis and are in need of a safe place for their children to stay temporarily.
Host families create an extended family-like support through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep kids safe and families intact. The primary purpose of a host family is to support those who are currently, potentially or at risk of becoming involved with Child Welfare.
Hearts With A Mission is working with faith-based organizations to recruit host families and support groups, and to ensure each family in the program has a family coach as well.
“This is something Oregon is leading the country in–attempting to prevent foster care through SFFC, which recently was confirmed an evidenced-based program,” Lamson noted.
For additional information about Safe Families, check out the videos below. To get more information about how Hearts With A Mission is working with the program locally, or to volunteer to help, contact Heather Siewell at heather.s@heartswithamission.org.
CASA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CHILDREN
CASA of Jackson County, founded in 1990, is a non-profit organization responsible for recruiting, training and supporting the work of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers. CASAs advocate for abused and neglected children by making recommendations to the court regarding the immediate and future needs of the children in the care of Child Welfare.
Volunteer CASAs are the voice of the child in court and are generally the only consistent person to follow each child’s case to completion. To be a CASA, you must be at least 21 years of age, have a heart for children, be able to attend meetings and court hearings, maintain objectivity, and always speak to the child’s best interest.
We need more CASAs to advocate for the 200 children currently waiting for a CASA. To learn more, attend an hour-long orientation on any Thursday at 12:00pm at the CASA office, 409 Front St., Medford. No appointment necessary, just drop in. For additional information, call 541-734-2272.
SHERIFF’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON ADDICTION RECOVERY AND MENTAL HEALTH
A community advisory committee on the proposal to build a new jail facility in Jackson County has been convened by Sheriff Nathan Sickler. The committee, made up of local government officials, public safety personnel, mental health advocates, addiction recovery specialists and other community members, met for the first time on July 8 to review data on jail bookings, learn more about current support services, and discuss the impacts of addiction on individuals, families and the community.
Additional meetings are being planned for the next few months to discuss mental health issues, existing and potential new programs to divert people away from jail, and ideas for the design for a facility that can prioritize public safety while also offering paths to health, recovery and good citizenship.
(Notes by Southern Oregon Success Program Manager Peter Buckley)
To schedule a training session or workshop for any group, or for more information, contact peter_buckley@southernoregonsuccess.org.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
The Facebook page for Southern Oregon Success features almost daily postings of events taking place in our region and information shared from all over as part of our learning community efforts on what works and what doesn’t in helping kids and families thrive.
If you do Facebook, check us out and Like us at Southern Oregon Success.
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