Since 2014, we have used the Gorge’s Secret Sauce to cook-up more than 40 Community IdentifiedSolutions, i.e., initiatives, that address our Community-Identified Needs.  These programs, projects, interventions, collaborations, whatever you call it, include the following:  

 

 

VEGGIE PRESCRIPTION                                                                                       

Providing prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables through doctors and social services, 

redeemable at 10 farmers markets and 18 grocery stores in the five county region. 

2015 Pgm Partners: Gorge Grown Food Network, One Community Health, 45+ local partners

Funding Partners: Oregon Comm Fdn, Mid-Col Medical Center, Providence Hood River Hosp. 

Skyline Hosp., Col Gorge Health Council, Tofurky. Total: $62,500; 

    2016 Phase III a: Columbia Gorge Family Medicine, One Community Health (clinic funds); 

    2017 Phase III b: Eastern OR CCO - Sherman County CAC 

 

SUPPORTED HOUSING SERVICES                                                                    

Utilizing Community Health Worker to support Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participants to 

expand their access to safe, decent, affordable housing through existing private market units.

2014 Pgm Partners: Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Next Door, 8 ‘new’ local housing orgs.

         Funding Partner: Meyer Memorial Trust: $35,500

 

YOUTH DENTAL PROGRAM            

Planning to develop a comprehensive school-based dental health program to serve every 1st& 

2nd grader (~1300) and every 6th & 7th grader (~1300) in Hood River and Wasco counties.  

2015 Pgm Partners: One Community Health, Advantage Dental, N. Wasco County School 

District, Dufur School District, So. Wasco County School District, Hood River County  

School District, Hood River Health Dept, N Regional Public Health District, Oregon Health 

Authority, private dental providers.

Funding Partners: Oregon Comm. Fdn: $30,000; Implementation $260,000 secured (4 years)

2017 Add’l program work:  Community dental coalition formed; messaging, First Tooth training

          

HOOD RIVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HEALTH CENTER                

Community partners planned, built, and opened the first school-based health center in region.  

Pgm Partners: One Community Health, Oregon Health Authority, Providence Hood River 

Hospital, Columbia Gorge Health Council, Mid-Col Center for Living, Private Providers, 

HR Health Department, Hood River County School District, 

2014 Funding Partners: Oregon Health Auth, Providence Hood River, Col Gorge Health Council, 

One Community Health, Hood River County School District, Total: $105,000 

2015 Pgm & Funding: OHA full-time, onsite mental/behavior health provider/support $104,500

 

INSURANCE ENROLLMENT                                            

Hiring two .5 fte OHA enrollment specialists, one each in Hood River and Wasco counties 

Pgm Partners: Hood River Health Department, N. Central Public Health (Wasco); Next Door, Inc.

2015 Funding Partners: Oregon Health Authority: $75,000;

2016 Funding Partners: Oregon Health Authority: $100,000;

2017 Funding Partners: Oregon Health Authority: $100,000;

 

NORTH OREGON REGIONAL CORRECTIONS (NORCOR) Project Re-Entry

Increased services for individuals with mental illness and individuals with co-occurring drug/alcohol conditions at regional jail.

Pgm Partners: NORCOR, Mid Columbia Center for Living, multiple service providers

2016 Funding Partner: US Dept of Justice $239,676

​

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING                            

Develop local CHWs through train-the-trainer model.  In partnership with Multnomah Health Dept’s Community Capacitation Center, more than 50 CHWs have been trained and certified.

Pgm Partners: Next Door Inc, Columbia Gorge Community College, Multnomah County 

Capacitation Center, Mid-Col. Health Equity Advocates, Nuestra Communidad Sana

2014 Funding Partners: Oregon Comm Fdn $25,000; OR Comm College Workforce Develop 

             Committee $50,000; Providence Hood River $10,000; Col. Gorge Health Council $65,000

2016 Funding Partners: Providence Hood River $25,000

2017 Funding Partners: PacificSource Foundation: $25,000

 

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING                                     

Community-wide process to identify a fecal immunochemical test or FIT kits that is appropriate 

for our community to address low rates of colorectal screenings in OHP members in region.

Pgm Partners: Col Gorge Health Council, PacificSource Community Solutions, Next Door, Inc

2015 Funding Partner: Knight Cancer Institute: $25,000  

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCACY                                           

Move local policy makers in the region toward adopting policy changes that will increase the 

availability of affordable housing in the region.

Pgm Partners: Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Mid- Col Community Action Council, 

Regional Solutions Team, Mid-Col Economic Development District, local governments.

2014 Funding Partner: Meyer Memorial Trust $25,000

 

BRIDGES TO HEALTH - Affordable Housing Pathway                                                      

Develop infrastructure for Bridges to Health pathways model and specific support for affordable housing pathway including pathway outcomes payments.

Pgm Partners: Col Gorge Health Council, Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Next Door, 

+ 25 other community partners involved in developing Bridges to Health

2015 Funding Partners: PacificSource Fdn: $25,000; Meyer Mem Trust:  $128,500, Providence 

              Hood River: $25,000

2016 Funding Partners: PacificSource CHE $25,000 Oregon Comm Fdn $25,000; Col Gorge 

              Health Council $800,000

2017 Funding Partners: Oregon Community Foundation $10,000

 

SCALING UP TRAUMA INFORMED CARE                                  

Expand implementation trauma informed care practices in HRCSD schools and pre-schools.

Pgm Partners: Hood River County School District, The Next Door, Head Start

2014 Funder: Oregon Youth Development Coalition: $99,960

 

YOUTH CONNECTION                  

Program to support high school students connect with services they need to succeed in school 

and in the community. 

Pgm Partners: The Next Door, Wasco Juvenile Services, Hood River Valley High School, 

2014 Funding Partners: Oregon Youth Development Coalition: $75,000

 

EXPAND SANCTUARY PROGRAM IN THE GORGE                    

Expand a program that uses common language (ACEs), common tools (Sanctuary Model), and shared resources designed to reduce impact of ACEs in the region.

Pgm Partners: Creating Sanctuary Consortium, Col Gorge Health Council, Mid-Columbia 

      Center for Living, N. Wasco County School District, Wasco Youth Services; PCPMH; law enf.

2015 Funding Partners: Health Fdn Philadelphia/Robert Wood Johnson Fdn: $300,000

 

IN-CLINIC DIABETES MANAGEMENT                                        

Support diabetes patients to better manage diabetes by providing access to Diabetes Educators and Pharmacists, increase communication between patients and PCPs.

Pgm Partners: Columbia Gorge Family Medicine, Deschutes Rim Clinic, Summit Family 

Medicine, private pharmacists, diabetes educators

2015 Funding Partner: PacificSource Foundation: $50,000

 

TOBACCO CESSATION             

Reduce the number of OHP members in Hood River and Wasco counties who use tobacco by

engaging and train primary care providers, clinic staff, and Community Health Workers 

Pgm Partners: Hood River Prevention Office, Wasco Prevention office, Hood River health 

Dept, N. Regional Health District

2015 Funding Partner: Knight Cancer Institute: $25,000  

2016 Funding Partner: Knight Cancer Institute: $50,000  (expanded work)

 

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY  

Hire part-time advocate to support children/families who are victims of abuse or neglect.

Pgm Partners: Children’s Advocacy Center, Hood River Sheriffs Office, Helping Hands.

2014 Funding Partner: Oregon Comm. Foundation $5,000

 

WALKING GROUPS THE DALLES: OBESITY PREVENTION (KNIGHT CANCER INSTITUTE)

North Central Public Health District is developing walking groups in The Dalles to educate community members about health, exercise and nutrition through organized walking groups.  

The Walking Groups will be located near enough the Healthy Corner Stores to walk there and get a healthy snack, while utilizing their Veggie Rx vouchers at the stores.

Pgm Partners: No. Central Public Health District; Gorge Grown Food Network

2016 Funding Partner: Knight Cancer Institute $50,000

 

HEALTHY CORNER STORES: OBESITY PREVENTION (KNIGHT CANCER INSTITUTE)

Gorge Grown Food Network is working to connect local food producers with small ‘corner stores’ in The Dalles to provide more healthy food options in the stores.  The Walking Groups will be located near enough the stores to walk there and get a healthy snack, while utilizing their Veggie Rx vouchers at the stores.

Pgm Partners: Gorge Grown Food Network; No. Central Public Health District

2016 Funding Partner: Knight Cancer Institute $50,000 

 

PROMOTING PROSPERITY 

Providing education, business planning resources, and guidance to help Latino entrepreneurs set up or expand their businesses.

Pgm Partners: Next Door, Inc. 20+ local businesses

2015 Funding Partner:Oregon Comm Foundation $25,000

                                                                                                                                                            

BLUE ZONES 

Designated the City of The Dalles as Blue Zone Demonstration community to create 

healthy community.

Pgm Partners: Multiple service providers, businesses, churches, community members

2017 Funding Partners:Mid-Columbia Medical Center $100,000; Col Gorge Health Ccl $50,000; Providence Hood River Hospital $10,000; One Community Health $10,000; Wasco County 

$10,000; Waste Connections $5,000.  Cambia Health System $633,000

                                                                                                                                        

OREGON PARENTING EDUCATION                                                                                                       

Expanding regional parent education work to include five counties

Pgm Partners: 4 Rivers Early Learning Hub, Next Door, Inc. multiple service providers, 

2017 Funding Partners:Oregon Parent Education Coalition $360,000 over 3 years 

                                                                                                                                                            

FOOD SECURITY COALITION                                                                                                     

Coalition of 35+ organizations working together to build a resilient, inclusive food system. 

Pgm partners:GGFN, 35 community orgs

2016 Funding Partners:Providence Hood River Hospital, Oregon Solutions, Collins Foundation

2017 Funding Partners:Meyer Memorial Trust 

                                                                                                                                                            

VEGGIE PRESCRIPTION – PREGNANT MOTHERS                                                                                      

Providing prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables for pregnant moms at Hood River Health Dt

Pgm partners:Gorge Grown Food Network; HRCHD; 35+ redemption sites

Funding Partners:Providence HR $25,000; PacificSource Foundation $35,000;

                                                                                                                                                            

YOUTH OUTREACH WORKER (YOW)  

Access and connections for teens to community services.

Pgm Partners: Hood River Prevention Office, Next Door, Inc Hood River County School District

Funding Partners:  Youth Development Coalition (OR Youth Authority) $80,000

                                                                                                                                                            

SUPPORTING TEENS AND PARENTS 

Social and emotional learning skill building for teens and parents with teens.

Pgm Partners: YouthThink, Wasco Youth Services, DHS, No. Wasco County School 

Funding Partners:  Youth Development Coalition (OR Youth Authority) $100,000

                                                                                                                                                            

TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES

Continuing work of MARC grant and Sanctuary model with a focus on supporting more staff training and Learning Collaboratives.

Partners: Mid Columbia Center for Living, Columbia Gorge Health Council, Dept of 

                 Human Services, Wasco Youth Services (among others).

Funder: PacificSource Community Health Excellence - $44,500 

                                                                                                                                                            

EQUITY & FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS  

Creating Equity & Family Partnership position to coordinate services for students/families 

Partners:HRCSD and multiple community organizations

Funder:Meyer Memorial Trust  $175,000

                                                                                                                                                            

MICRO-LOANS AND CREDIT DEVELOPMENT 

Develop program to provide small loans for Mid Columbia Housing clients to overcome financial barriers and develop stronger credit.

Partners:Mid Columbia Housing Authority; multiple partners & service providers

Funder:Meyer Memorial Trust $100,000 

                                                                                                                                                            

INCREASING COLLECTIVE IMPACT CAPACITY

Communications Specialist position to help inform community partners and outside stakeholders about the work in the community.

Partners:United Way - Columbia Gorge; multiple partners.

Funder:Oregon Community Foundation $15,000 

                                                               

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN SCHOOLS

Hood River County School District and No. Wasco County School District, partnering with Next Door inc and Bridges to Health Pathways will hire a CHW in each school as Care Coordinator to supports families and students.

Partners: Next Door, NWCSD, HRCSD, Bridges to Health, other community services

Funder:Col Gorge Health Council Clinical Advisory Panel $120,000 

​

COMMUNITY LIAISON

Staff community health worker-like position at NCPHD to support addressing childhood obesity.

Partners: NCPHD multiple partners

Funder: CGHC Community grants $217,000

​

WALKING GROUPS – CANCER SURVIVORS

Development of walking groups for cancer survivors in Hood River County.
Partners:HR Prevention Office, HR Health Dept, other providers

Funder:Knight Cancer Institute $15,000

 

WALKSHOPS – BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN HOOD RIVER

Utilize Blue Zone’s built environment specialist to develop walking/driving plan around 3 schools and Heights Business District

Partners: HR Valley Residents Committee, City of Hood River, Hood River County, schools

Funder: Oregon Community Foundation $18,370

​

HEALTH EQUITY

Mid-Columbia Health Equity Advocates (MCHEA) supporting capacity building and leadership development of Abogadores de la Comunidad (Advocates of the Community)

Partners:Next Door, Inc. + multiple partners

Funder:Northwest Health Fdn  $30,000 

 

COMMUNITY LEARNING SPECIALIST

Community-based position that will identify ‘local best practice’ data collection ideas and share across partners. Increase our ability to measure our ‘success’ on different levels and make better, data-informed decisions.

Partners:United Way Columbia Gorge + all partners in Healthy Gorge Initiative

Funders:CGHC Community grants$25,000; Ford family Fdn $25,000

​

OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Continue extensive out of school time academic and enrichment programs for Title I schools in Hood River County: Cascade Locks, Parkdale, Mid Valley, WyEast Middle.

Partners:Hood River County School District + multiple community providers

Funder:OR Dept of Education $2,989,000 

 

HEALTH EQUITY

Mid-Columbia Health Equity Advocates (MCHEA) supporting capacity building and leadership development of Abogadores de la Comunidad (Advocates of the Community)

Partners:Next Door, Inc. + multiple partners

Funder:Northwest Health Fdn  $30,000 

​

COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION CARD

Effort to develop first community Id card program in the Pacific Northwest. Cards will provide government issued identification cards to all community members.

Partners:Gorge Ecumenical Ministries, Next Door, Hood River County + multiple partners

Funders:Providence ($10,000) OCF($10,000) CGHC($20,000) Meyer Mem Trust $37,000; Northwest Area Fdn $75,000

 

BULLYING PREVENTION

An intensive bullying prevention campaign for students, their parents, and the broader community focusing on middle school students in Hood River County.

Partners: HR Prevention Dept; HR School District + others

Funder: OR Comm Fdn $14,200 

 

ENERGY PLAN

Prioritize projects outlined in the Hood River County Energy Plan, increase capacity to implement those projects and pursue opportunities for regional energy collaboration

Partners: Mid Columbia Econ Dev District, Hood River County, Wasco County

Funder: OR Comm Fdn $14,000

 

YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Develop and implement a Yoga for First Responders program in the Gorge.

Partners: Mid Columbia Center for Living, The Dalles Police Dept, Wasco County EMS

Funder: PacificSource CHE program $15,000

 

PARENTING EDUCATION

Develop and implement more parenting education classes and supports in seven county region

Partners: 4 River Early Learning Hub; The Next Door, multiple other partners

Funder: Oregon Parenting Education Coalition

 

ADULT LITERACY AGED CLASSES

Develop and implement classes for Latino community members to improve their literacy in English and support them through obtaining their GED certificates.

Partners: Columbia Gorge ESD; OCDC, Col Gorge Comm College, The Next Door, Hood River County School District

Funder: The Collins Foundation  $59,750