Skamania Klickitat Community Network
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Classes and Programs

Kinship Care - What is it?
Offered through Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities in Vancouver, Washington, this program helps grandparents and other relatives in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties navigate the legal, financial, and resource challenges that come from raising younger relatives. Kinship care is typically classified in two ways: informal or formal. Relatives play an essential role in helping to meet the needs of children who are unable to live with their parents. The connection to family, relatives, and community is important to a growing child:
  • Children can live with people they already know and trust.
  • Children can maintain their personal and cultural identity.
  • Families learn to rely on their own resources and strengths.
The type of kinship care you engage in will affect the legal rights you have regarding the child's care. Learn more about the different types of kinship care as well as resources available to help you or someone you know take on the challenging task of parenting again.
For more information, call Sarah Revord at 360-759-4317.

OTHER CLASSES, ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

Swindells Center, Providence Hood River
The Swindells Center is part of Providence Hood River Hospital.  Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center supports parents and caregivers of children who have special needs, developmental delays or disabilities. They provide resources, information and education to communities throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. They provide speakers, workshops and other opportunities for parents to learn about programs and activities that support the growth and development of children with disabilities.  Check out their website, contact them locally at Pine Grove School, 2405 Eastside Road, Hood River, OR, 97031 541-387-5720 or at 800-833-8899 ext. 52429.

The Next Door, Inc.

At The Next Door, we believe that every child and every family deserves a chance to build a good life. Working together, we encourage safe and supportive communities that value all children and families.
We offer many programs and activities for families and children in the Hood River and Wasco County area.

Birthing Classes
These are offered to new parents-to-be at local hospitals or birthing centers in The Dalles, Hood River or Vancouver/Portland area.  Check with your doctor, nurse-midwife or other health care provider to learn about when these classes are scheduled.  Refresher classes are also available if you are expecting another child.

Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles:  All classes are held in the Medical Center Office, Plaza Conference Room A, 1700 E 19th Street, The Dalles. To register for classes, please call First Impressions at 541-296-5657. They offer a wide variety of labor and delivery choices, from water births to conventional options.

Childbirth Connections at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
To register, please call 800-562-8964, or sign up on-line. For additional questions, concerns or to speak with an instructor, please call the childbirth education coordinator at 541-387-6344.


  • Preparing for childbirth
In this six-week series, you will also learn effective strategies for labor and delivery, and gain confidence for this life-changing experience. A tour of our family birth center and information on breastfeeding and newborn care will also be covered. The class meets on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., and includes snacks. The cost of this class is $90. Please check with your insurance to see if you can be reimbursed for this course.
  • Childbirth preparation– Saturday workshop - Web-enhanced  
This condensed Saturday only, power-packed day is geared toward first-time parents. Learn about labor and delivery, coping with contractions, medical procedures, comfort measures, pain management and medications. You will watch videos and complete work online prior to the workshop through independent self-study. A class manual and homework worksheets will be mailed to you within the week you register. Pricing is per couple. The cost of this class is $90. Please check with your insurance to see if you can be reimbursed for this course. Financial assistance is also available.
  • Online childbirth education
For your convenience, Providence offers an online childbirth education program. This program is ideal for women whose schedules don’t allow them to attend group childbirth classes or who are unable to travel to classes.
  • Breastfeeding preparation
Breastfeeding information is included in both childbirth education courses. This course is for women who wish to focus specifically on breastfeeding. In this course you will learn about maintain milk supply, choosing nursing positions and how to address common concerns. The cost of this class is $85. Preregistration is appreciated.

Peace Health SW Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, WA
All birthing classes are listed on their website, which you can access by clicking the above link.

DAD 101: New Dad Workshop at SW Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, WA
Are you a new or expectant Dad? Then this workshop is for you!  More than just basic baby care, the New Dads Workshop offers men insight into preparing for those precious first few months of baby's life. This program is for men and taught by a man it provides a "hands on" overview of baby's basic needs, the "things every Dad needs to know," and how to build a solid relationship with your child from the very first day.  Register for these classes on-line at http://www.swmedicalcenter.org/baby-care-classes or call 360-514-BABY ext.  2229.

Children Cope With Divorce  
This is NOT a counseling session. Child care is not provided, please do not bring children.
Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health presents the material. Please call to learn about the current fee. The fee may be lowered under special circumstances. A certificate of completion is provided at the end of the seminar.
Classes are held in Goldendale the first Saturday of April, June, August, October, December and February.  
They are held in White Salmon the first Saturday of March, May, July, September, November and January.
Children Cope with Divorce helps parents understand the effects of divorce on their children. Provided for divorcing parents with children, custody proceedings or paternity actions.
Topics include visitation issues, helping children with the trauma and transition divorce brings, and pitfalls to avoid. Parents in Skamania and Klickitat County are required to attend this four-hour seminar. If required to attend, please call the Klickitat County Family Court at 509-773-5744 or Skamania County Court at 509-427-3765.  
This seminar explores typical reactions of children going through a divorce, offers skills that can help children cope, addresses visitation issues, as well as touching on other important issues. Children Cope with Divorce also assists parents going through paternity and non-parental custody actions. Contact the Training Coordinator at ccwd@cwcmh.org or call (509) 575-4084.

Foster Parenting
Required training available for people interested in becoming a licensed foster parent.  Debbie Rabin of Washington Division of Children and Family Services is the contact for these classes and trainings for both Klickitat and Skamania County. Classes are approximately 8 hours and are held on several Fridays and Saturdays.  Background checks, in home assessments and inspections also take place. She can be reached at 509-773-7483.   Providers also need CPR, HIV training, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen Training.  A TB test is required. Licenses are valid for three years.  Providers must also have 12 hours per year of continuing education classes to maintain licensing.

Love and Logic
These popular programs are for families with children ages 6 months to eighteen years.  They based on the teachings of Jim Fay, a former school principal and his son Charles, a child psychologist.  It uses humor, hope and empathy to help adults learn how to provide opportunities for children to make choices, learn limits, accept responsibility and understand consequences. Area agencies occasionally offer this program for parents.  A five-week program is also available for parents with children ages one to six.
Schools also find it helpful with their teaching staff. There may be a small fee to cover costs of the workbooks.  Call 509-426-4813 to find out if a class is being offered locally.

Love and Logic also offers on-demand webinars.  Please go to this link for more information: www.loveandlogic.com The cost is $40.00 and you will need high speed internet for best results. There are other online classes available.  Find them by searching for online parenting support in your browser. If you are required to take a class, please check with your counselor or social worker to see if the online class is approved and accepted.

Parenting a Second Time Around
Offered in Clark County through the Children's Home Society.  This is a program for grandparents and other relatives taking care of relative children. http://www.chs-wa.org/

Parenting Through Divorce and Separation
A 2.5 hour workshop for parents who are experiencing divorce or separation. Offered through the Volunteer Lawyers Program in Vancouver, Washington. http://www.lawhelp.org/
*May be subject to schedule change-please call ahead!

Strong Families
Presented occasionally through Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health. Strong Families~Familias Fuertes is a 13-session parenting program offered free in both English and Spanish. The program addresses the needs of all parents: stepparents, grandparents, single parents, foster parents, and other adults who have children in their life. The program is based on the Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities: A Violence Prevention Parent Program developed by Dr. Marilyn Steele.  Contact the Strong Families Coordinator at strongfam@cwcmh.org or call (509) 575-4084.

Strengthening Families
Upcoming class in Hood River-January 18 through March 1, 2017.  Free for families with children ages 10-14.  Dinner and childcare provided.Call 541-386-2812 to register.  It will be held at the Hood River Alliance Church, 2650 Montello Avenue.

The Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 Years is a nationally recognized curriculum that provides parent, youth and family education. The model is designed to be delivered in local communities for groups of 7-12 families.
Educational programs that bring parents and their children together in learning environments strengthen entire families. Healthy parent-child communication reduces the risks of both substance abuse and teen pregnancy among teenagers, factors that are related to youth violence, depression, school failure and cycles of poverty. WSU Cooperative Extension offers the Strengthening Families Program as a model learning program for families.
Parents and children participate in this program both together and separately.  It provides evidence-based curriculum in three main areas: parenting skills, children's life skills and family life skills. The program is offered in seven sessions, with four "booster" workshops available.  Call 509-426-4813 if you'd like more information.


Check with Programs for Peaceful Living to see if the free program Parenting Wisely is available.  This is a DVD based interactive curriculum that parents can access on an individual basis to gain additional parenting skills and tips. Parents and caregivers are shown a series of interactions and then offered choices on the best response to the situation. Programs For Peaceful Living can be reached at 509-493-1533 in White Salmon or 509-773-6100 in Goldendale.

Mental Health First Aid

Depression. Anxiety. Substance abuse. Eating disorders. These are but a few of the mental health challenges people struggle with every day. In fact, one out of four people you meet has struggled with a mental health problem at some point. But there is hope. And it is you.
Through the certification course, you'll become a certified Mental Health First Aider.  You will learn how to respond to someone with a mental health challenge. You'll learn the signs, evidence-based actions and how to connect those in crisis to support systems and local resources that can help them recover.
Mental Health First Aid has been tested, proven, and tailored to meet a range of unique perspectives and experiences.
Check their website for a list of local classes.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) BASICS
A free, two part course for parents, professionals and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness.  BASICS allows families to connect with one another while learning about mental illness and empowering themselves to overcome challenges. Contact their Southwest Washington Chapter at 509-427-7104 for a schedule and more information on their other programs and activities.



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