Background: The Douglas County Commission on Children and Families is charged by the Oregon Legislative Assembly to serve as the convener and facilitator for creating our county’s coordinated comprehensive plan for children and families. In 2001, Douglas County completed its six-year comprehensive plan under ORS 417. 775, with the help of many organizations. We updated the plan in 2004 and 2006.  In 2007, we completed our six-year plan for 2008-2014.  This plan was approved on January 16, 2008, by the County Board of Commissioners.

Data Review: As before, we are being asked to update trend data and describe strengths, gaps and barriers around the various high level outcomes, including poverty, juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, health, substance abuse and education indicators. Rather than having large group meetings, we met with many of our partners in small groups during May and June to review trend data and discuss gaps, barriers, and current programs. We also met with various collaborative groups, such as the Douglas County Early Childhood Planning Coalition, the Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Youth Advisory Board to provide input on the plan elements. This information forms the foundation for Douglas County’s new six-year comprehensive plan.  Click here to view our preliminary data. To view the sources for data sets in the plan, please click here.

Spring Focus Meetings:  During May and June 2007, we meet with many of our partners to review trend data and discuss gaps, barriers, and current programs that address nineteen high level outcomes, such as poverty, child maltreatment, juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, health, substance abuse and education. We also met with various collaborative groups, such as the Douglas County Early Childhood Planning Coalition (DCECPC), the Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Youth Advisory Board to provide input on the plan elements. This information will form the foundation for Douglas County’s new six-year comprehensive plan, which is due to the state in January 2008. Click here to view the notes from these meetings.  Additionally, on May 15, 2007,  the Commission dedicated a meeting to obtain the youth perspective.  Click here to view the minutes from this meeting.