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Northwest Family Services is an award winning, leading provider of creative services that reduce
poverty. The MISSION supports child well-being and family stability programs and services.
6200 King Rd.
Portland, OR 97222
(503) 546-6377
www.nwfs.org
Join US NWFS hosts community-wide luncheons for anyone interested to learn more
about us.
Next Community Builder: May 13 Time: Noon—1pm 6200 SE King Rd. Portland OR 97222 *No Request Event
Contact us to RSVP: Jordan Turel at 503.546-5072 or jturel@nwfs.org
Live Grow Succeed
Northwest Family Services News presented for Spring 2014
Programs Youth Solutions
Health Navigation
Counseling
Jobs / Career Fit
Parenting Inside Out
SymptoPro
Lasting Relationships
Upcoming Events:
Community Builder
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Free Luncheon, no request—
Join us and learn about
NWFS
Diversity
Workshop
June 11, 1pm-
3:30pm, @ NWFS
Register at nwfs.org
Community Issues
June 4, Noon-1pm; @
NWFS
Learn in-depth
details about some of
the NWFS Programs.
Greetings Everyone,
This year marks a key beginning
following our 30th anniversary last
year! Northwest Family Services is
making a strong difference and we
continue to build on our stability as a
driving force for the future. In an
effort to build greater sustainability,
Northwest Family Services is in the
process of drafting its new three-
year strategic plan with several key
directions. At our December 2013 all
staff-day, we started the next round
of strategic planning with a SWOT
analysis led by one of our board
members, Brant Hunsaker, Senior
Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank.
This will be followed up with more staff insights at our August 20th development
day.
Key elements of the new strategic plan focus on programs, internal development,
collaborations, stewardship, and marketing. Earlier this year, the US Office of
Family Assistance hand selected NWFS along with nine other non-profits from
around the country to participate in a sustainability summit. Thanks to that
conference and a continual move toward data driven results, a specific new thrust
of our engagement is now Program Return on Investment (PROI). In addition,
an Impact Report on PROI and a case for support of NWFS programs has now been
produced. The Impact Report for some NWFS programs can be found on the
website. This living document will help to drive future sustainability efforts.
Lastly, at our June 19 Capacity Building Training for all NWFS staff, we will host a
nationally known expert to provide added help with PROI.
Great work everyone!
Rose Fuller
Executive Director
NWFS Team enjoys dinner together at PROI Summit in D.C.
Development & Ops. Manager, Jordan Turel (left), Board President, Harold Burke-Sivers (center), and Lasting Relationships Manager, Charlie Goessler (right) . Winter 2014.
PROI Shows Value of NWFS Programs
NWFS Partners We Partner with over 300 organizations. Here are a few: (Alphabetically listed)
American Diabetes Association
Archdiocese of Portland
City of Portland
Clackamas County
Gladstone School District
Gresham-Barlow School District
Leupold & Stevens Foundation
Milwaukie Police Department
North Clackamas School District
Oregon City School District
Oregon Health Authority
Portland Public School District
Reynolds School District
Umpqua Bank
United Way
Univision Portland
Wells Fargo Bank
Helping people find jobs
Josh, a sixth grader at a Clackamas County elementary school,
was introduced to the NWFS One More Mentoring Program
(CIP Program) coordinator by his school counselor. She saw
Josh frequently due to his failing grades and frequent behavior
disruptions in class as well as on the playground. Now in the
care of his great aunt who was overwhelmed, Josh had
witnessed his father’s violent arrests which lead to
incarceration multiple times. Josh was angry at his father, the
system, and did not understand what had happened.
Josh was very withdrawn and cautious upon meeting the NWFS
CIP program coordinator. He responded positively to the idea
of being matched with a community mentor and having
opportunities to go on fun small group outings. He was soon
introduced to Adam, a truck-driver who was excited about the
possibility of positively impacting Joshua’s life. Today, Adam
and Josh have been “hanging out” since then and have
developed a friendship which has not only benefited Joshua, but also Adam who speaks openly about how
fulfilling their relationship has been for him. Josh very much looks forward to their times together. His
grades and behavior have reflected marked improvement as a result of one man’s realization of the
significance of his investment in the life of a boy who needed support.
In 2013, Northwest Family Services became an Alcohol and Drug
Treatment Center. This is exciting news and NWFS continues to
build on this work to now include alcohol and drug prevention
services for this program. This pilot expansion has begun at
Reynolds School District. This program reduces and prevents
the incidence of subsequent addiction and the negative personal
and social consequences. The A&D Program, entails a screening
and assessment process using the Global Appraisal of Individual
Needs Short Screener (GAIN-SS) system from staff. Students
indicating low level use participate in an evidence-based SBIRT
program entitled, Teen Intervene. Youth needing additional
treatment are referred to a full treatment center as needed. NWFS Board Certified Practitioner, Carlos
Romero, leads the drug and alcohol program
at Reynolds School District.
NWFS Case Coordinator (CIP Program), Marilyn
Grenfell, smiles as her and a mentee pose for
the camera.
Featured Story: Mentoring Impacts Josh
“Youth are five times more likely to graduate if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult.”
NWFS’ Counseling Department provides
professional counseling to individuals, couples, and
families in the areas of: Depression, Anxiety, Grief,
What We Do:
Counseling Department Manager, Ruth Hayes-
Barba, says,“ Almost everyone at some point in their
life needs a safe place to sort things out and make
sense of what they feel and what is going on in their
life. Counseling provides the environment where this
can happen.”
SymptoPro Fertility Education is dedicated to providing specialized,
ongoing support in helping couples understand their fertility and to
learn how to work with its natural design to achieve or avoid a
pregnancy. Currently, there are 55 active instructors who offer classes
in 20 states. This service is available online as well. NWFS locally
employs four instructors who offer personalized online classes serving
over 1,000 clients each year. NWFS also provides training and
certification for instructors. The materials are available in both English
and Spanish.
Learn more at www.symptopro.org.
Our counseling department is as busy as ever, serving
about 200 clients a year. We have a new intern named
Russ Brechbiel, who is in the M.A. Counseling program
at Western Seminary. Russ has an interest in marriage
and family counseling, particularly with families who
face adoption and attachment challenges. Welcome,
Russ!
Our Multnomah University interns, Jeffery Lopez and
Katrina Navarette, continue to work with counseling
clients, as well as taking on other responsibilities within
the agency. Katrina is filling in as an interim family
support navigator.
With current changes in the healthcare system, there is
a movement toward integrating physical and mental
health care practice. As we discern what role the NWFS
counseling department will play in this transformation,
we are participating in the Tri-County Behavioral Health
Providers Association. The monthly meetings help us to
stay informed about the most recent news, and to
collaborate with other local mental health providers.
Counseling News:
Mission: Educating to reduce underage drinking, marijuana and
prescription drug abuse amongst local youth.
Come check us out! FREE lunch included!
When: Every 4th Wednesday each month
Time: 12:30-1:45pm
Where: Northwest Family Services
6200 SE King Rd
Portland, OR 97222
Contact: Tracy Hoffman
thoffman@nwfs.org
503-546-6377 www.vibrantfuture.org
TOWN HALL MEETING—
MAY 28, 2014
Northwest Family Services is launching a new program this fall in the Centennial and Reynolds School
Districts. Signs of Suicide (SOS) is a school-based intervention that includes screening and education.
Staff will be present in the classroom teaching three to four day interactive sessions. The sessions give
young people a "depression check-up," as well as the knowledge to recognize depression and respond
effectively.
The program highlights the relationship between depression and suicide, a n d teaches that, most often,
suicide is a fatal response to a treatable disorder: depression.
Students are screened for depression and suicide risk and referred for professional help as indicated.
Students also participate in guided classroom discussions about suicide and depression. Students will
learn the action steps individuals should take if they experience the signs of depression or suicide
within themselves or encounter these signs in a friend. The goals of the program are to prevent suicide
attempts, increase knowledge about suicide and depression, and increase help-seeking behavior.
NWFS is pleased to announce that the SOS classes will be facilitated by Mr. Jeffery Lopez, who has been
with NWFS since May 2013, as a counseling intern. Lopez has a Master’s degree in Information/Project
Management from Grantham University, and is in process of completing his counseling degree from
Multnomah University in December 2014. Previously, he served 21 years in the Armed Forces as an
administrator for thousands of soldiers and as a Chaplain while on tour in Iraq. He retired this past
summer as a highly decorated Army Master Sergeant. Also, Lopez is only one of a handful of Master
Resiliency Trainers for the State of Oregon.
Your teeth DO NOT have to look like this! Let us Help!
Helping families stay together instead of children going into foster
care. Supporting families so children go back home to their parents.
“Janet” was a 35-year-old woman who had no job or home to call her own. She had fled with her two teenage
sons, after finding out that her husband had abused one of the sons. She was severely depressed and anx-
ious, and overwhelmed with trying to decide her next step. Janet felt paralyzed and hopeless about her fu-
ture. Due to the abuse, a child welfare case had been opened for Janet’s family. Through a program called
Strengthening, Preserving, and Reunifying Families (SPRF), with which NWFS partners with the Clackamas
County Department of Human Services, Janet’s caseworker had referred Janet to NWFS for support and help.
NWFS staff worked with Janet to give her support for her mental health needs, and to provide for some of her
immediate practical needs, such as transportation help, cell phone minutes, and getting re-connected with
self-sufficiency services. Staff were able to help her find the counseling and medical help she needed, and
worked closely with her to help her get accepted into a supportive housing program. There, she received
support and case management to help her work toward self-sufficiency. Today, Janet is excited and positive
about her future, and said, “I am so excited to be given this opportunity. And it’s all because of everyone
involved. Thank you!” Janet’s family, who had been trying to provide support as they could, was also
grateful for NWFS’ help. Janet’s mother said, “Words cannot convey my gratitude for all of the effort, caring,
and compassion that you extended to help my family find a path toward a new life. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart for all you did to make that miracle happen.”
If you need a teeth cleaning, or have urgent, unmet dental needs, you may qualify for
FREE dental services! Services are first come, first served. You will need to attend a
screening appointment first in order to see the dentist.
***We are currently accepting new patients.***
Eligibility Requirements
Adult that has urgent dental needs
Resident of Clackamas County
No dental insurance
Income less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Research is proving that when it comes to teaching your
children about making healthy choices and being responsible
it’s not so much about what is being taught—it’s about what is
being caught.
This Healthy Relationship and Parenting class is designed to
teach parents how to improve the quality of relationships
within the home using the proven parenting techniques of
Active Parenting Now. Active Parenting Now is an education program targeted to parents of 4-12 year olds. The
program teaches parents how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child’s self-esteem, and
creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving.
This class will equip parents with the tools of natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and
unacceptable behaviors, and includes skills parents can use right away. Additional skills to improve the quality
of relationships and communication with other adults in the home, social and workplace environments are
included to support how we as parents model healthy relationships.
Session topics:
Motivating your child to be responsible
Gaining control through choices
Enjoying your role as a parent
Modeling good communication skills
Becoming and encouraging better listeners
What We Do:
All programs available in English & Spanish
Skill-based couples workshops
Money management
Parenting techniques
Conflict resolution
Communication skills
Relationship discernment
www.lastingrelationships.org
Serving adults within the child welfare and criminal
“I had no confidence in myself. In PIO I accomplished
something each week. Those little successes gave me the
confidence to keep going; I was willing to try something
bigger. Now I am part of my children’s lives. I am their
mom.”
Since January 2013, 150 parents have completed the
12-week parenting class series. These parents in turn
represent 232 children.
Featured Program: Parenting on Purpose
Partnering with 11 schools
Middle and High School
Afterschool programs and mentoring
Developing youth leaders
Summer Programs
School-wide assemblies
Case Coordination
Drug, Alcohol, Sex, Gang, and other risk prevention education
Serving 15,000+ students annually
What We Do:
Peer Court acts as a diversion program that is
designed to give youth ages 12-17 with first-
time, low-level law violations a chance to repair
harm and show accountability for their actions
without involvement in the juvenile justice sys-
tem.
Youth, under the direction of professional attor-
neys, work as defense attorney, prosecuting at-
torney, and jury. The jury decides what type of
accountability fits for the law violation.
Quick Fact: In 2013, Northwest Family Services (NWFS) graduated 90% of all students who worked with us
(graduating high school or advancing to the next grade level) while the entire State of Oregon only graduated
69% of all Oregon High School students.
This program saves Oregon Taxpayers $25,000 each year, per youth. This represents the cost of a person in an Oregon prison. Collectively from over 500 youth who have successfully gone through peer court as participants,
Peer Court has saved Oregon Taxpayers $12.5 million dollars!
Peer Court student attorneys, professional
lawyers, and NWFS staff took a quick picture after
a recent Peer Court prep. meeting, held in
Fairview, Oregon.
Featured Story: Earlier this year, a high school senior, Miguel, was referred to an NWFS Youth
Educator’s office because he was not attending 1/4 of his classes. Miguel was
not on schedule to graduate, and had no motivation to ever attend college or
begin working after high school.
Thanks to constant check-ins, positive affirmations and coaching from the
NWFS Youth Educator, Miguel is now attending all his classes. He is also
staying late after school to work with teachers, doing homework, and on track
to graduate in June! In addition, Miguel joined a couple extracurricular
activities that helped bolster confidence and motivation. Recently, he
received notice that his hard work paid off and was accepted at Oregon State
and Portland State Universities. Congrats Miguel!
The Oregon jobless problem remains a serious challenge for
Oregonians. In December 2013, the Oregon rate of
unemployment was 7.1%, according to the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Northwest Family Services is committed to reducing
the Oregon jobs problem and making big impact upon family
stability. Our Employment Assistance Department, Career Fit,
provides job seekers with readiness skills, one-on-one
coaching, and connections to employers. Also, this program
will not only help people become employed, it enables a family
the opportunity to secure employer paid health insurance.
This work is critical as Oregon cannot afford the cost of $1.67
Billion Dollars paid out in annual unemployment benefits.
The Northwest Family Services’ Jobs program yields massive gains and savings for Oregon— 2013 Impacts :
149 people secured a job thanks to NWFS, representing an approximate $5,766,914 in income per year.
72% of participants were placed in full time jobs and 28% in part time jobs.
Those 149 people who have secured jobs are now saving taxpayers approximately $2,145,600 in
unmade unemployment claims .
Northwest Family Services (NWFS) helps nearly 1,000 Oregonians
get health insurance through paper enrollment despite any
challenges of the online Cover Oregon marketplace portal.
Currently, NWFS has been successfully completing 30 paper
applications weekly, and then has been submitting those
applications for processing to Oregon State officials.
Cover Oregon is a new online marketplace where individuals,
families and small businesses can shop for private health
insurance plans and enroll in the Oregon Health Plan or Healthy Kids. NWFS began its outreach and
enrollment efforts October 1, 2013, as an Oregon Health Authority, on behalf of Cover Oregon, grantee in
helping Oregon individuals and families get health insurance. NWFS is among 30 community organizations
throughout the state that provides outreach and enrollment services to Oregon individuals and families.
NWFS provides opportunities for people to learn and enroll in Cover Oregon. NWFS will reach a variety of
Oregonians throughout urban and rural Clackamas and Marion Counties, including Spanish and Russian
speaking families. Let us help you get signed up today!
Rose Fuller, Executive Director of NWFS, says, “We are thrilled to assist people who might experience
barriers with the opportunity to receive affordable health insurance. As a non-profit organization that focuses
on family stability and child well-being, access to healthcare is a foundation piece that all parents require for
their families.”
NWFS Impacts Economy through Employment Assistance!
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