An OCF Metropolitan Regional Action Initiative in Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River and Washington Counties
Parents are a child’s first teachers. Given that 90 percent of brain development happens by the time a child is six years old, parents are also a child’s most important teachers.
That’s why the Metropolitan Portland Regional Action Initiative Committee is focused on helping parents to understand their critical role in early brain development.
On October 26, 2009, the committee hosted a forum comprising more than 65 leaders. As a result of this meeting, the committee ultimately wants to create a parent education hub for the region, which will provide new parents with comprehensive information on local programs and services.
The first step in achieving this goal is to identify services that are currently available in the four-county region. In spring, the committee announced a request for bids to conduct this assessment. In June, Portland State University’s Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services received a grant award of $65,000 to take a regional inventory of parent education resources, and conduct a gap analysis. The results of this study are due in October 2010.
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in learning more about or collaborating with OCF’s RAI committees, contact Melissa Durham, statewide RAI coordinator: mdurham@oregoncf.org.