Purpose: The Marion-Polk System of Care (SOC) includes a diverse group of local organizations committed to addressing barriers to health and wellness for system-involved youth and families.

Core Responsibilities:

• • Establish a table of diverse systems partners to create a holistic lens to review and address community-identified barriers impacting local youth and families.
  • Elevate youth and family voice and support changes within the community that youth and families have identified and need most. 
  • Maintain awareness of and strategically support implementation of new state initiatives impacting youth and families at the local level.
  • Monitor youth and family well-being to inform preventative community efforts.

2023 Priorities: 

• • Host the Youth & Family Services Summit.
  • Develop a new strategic plan.
  • Grow and sustain a diverse SOC membership including development of a new youth and family engagement model.

Youth & Family Services Summit:

Hosted on February 1, the Summit brought together nearly 200 local partners across the Marion-Polk region actively engaged in youth and family-centered agencies, coalitions, committees, programs, and other initiatives to:

• • Highlight youth and family-centered work;
  • Identify opportunities for greater community alignment;
  • Break down silos and reduce duplicative efforts; and
  • Network with other local professionals, organizations, and community leaders.

Download a report of the Summit highlighting key takeaways and next steps here and watch a recap video here.

Partners can download the Summit attendee contact list here.

New Strategic Plan Goals:

• Strengthen SOC clarity of purpose, functioning, and member engagement.
• Increase SOC capacity to engage youth, families, and community partners to ensure the SOC is adding value to the community.
• Improve cross-sector service coordination, capacity, and alignment among youth and family-serving programs, organizations, and initiatives.
• Ensure that the SOC workforce needs are represented in workforce development efforts locally.

Meetings: SOC meetings are closed to the public.

Contact:

Heather Pascoe (she/her), Program Manager

hpascoe@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Executive Council Members:

• • Chair: Lisa Harnisch, Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub
  • Alberto Maldonado, Youth Era
  • Amanda Stephens, Polk County Health Services
  • Cassie Stafford, Willamette Education Service District
  • Cheryl Cisneros, Creating Opportunities
  • Chiharu Blatt, Trillium Family Services
  • Chris Moore, Salem-Keizer Public Schools
  • Corissa Neufeldt, Marion County Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
  • Cydney Nestor, Oregon Department of Human Services
  • DeAnn Carr, Yamhill Coordinated Care Organization
  • Dannielle Brown, PacificSource Community Solutions, Marion-Polk CCO
  • Ivan Moreno, Young Adult Community Member
  • Jayne Downing, Center for Hope & Safety
  • Jennifer Kubista, Central School District
  • Jodi Merritt, Polk County Community Corrections
  • Justin Hopkins, Willamette Health Council
  • Levi Herrera-Lopez, Mano a Mano
  • Liz Schwarz, Oregon Youth Authority
  • Phil Blea, Marion County Behavioral Health
  • Sandy Bumpus, Oregon Family Support Network
  • Sheryl Fisher, Yamhill Coordinated Care Organization
  • Troy Gregg, Marion County Juvenile Department