The Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, in the Family Resources and Education Center at Linn-Benton Community College, has released the 2024 edition of our Regional Data Book. It provides the most current and comprehensive picture of the status and well-being of children in our region.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) released the 2024-2029 strategic plan along with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan. Outlined in the plans are the agency mission, vision, and values that reflect the agency’s mandate, along with key goals and objectives to guide the work for the next five years. 

Oregon’s 5-year maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH) needs assessment is underway, and we need your help!  The survey will help OHA better understand the health needs of women, children, youth, and families, including those with special health needs, and determine priorities for Oregon’s MCAH programs for the next five years. 

Are you a parent or caregiver with a child aged 3-5? If so, the Playful Path to Parenting (P3) research team at Oregon State University has an exciting opportunity for you!

We invite you to participate in a research study designed to support and enhance playful parenting. As participants, you and your child will attend two FREE Saturday workshops provided by our team in partnership with the Parenting Education Department's Live and Learn Program at Linn-Benton Community College and the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative, with support from the National Center for Families Learning:

The Playful Path to Parenting Workshops

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm, Saturdays, July 20 & 27 or September 15 & 22, 2024

Location: LBCC's Benton Center, Rooms 107 and 109 (757 NW Polk Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330)

During the workshops, you will explore and learn to amplify your inner playfulness and discover how to incorporate it into your daily interactions with your child. Through fun, research-informed activities and exercises, you'll gain valuable insights and practical strategies to make parenting more joyful and fulfilling.

Each workshop includes:

• A caregiver-only component (your child will engage in free play supervised by certified childcare providers)
• A caregiver-child co-play component (adults and children will join together for group fun)

All adult participants who complete the associated assessments will receive:

• $100 compensation
• A copy of the Playful Parent Playbook (2nd edition), an easy-to-navigate resource filled with practical ideas and fun activities to support playful parenting at home

Please note that due to the nature of the study, we can currently accept only one parent/caregiver and one child (aged 3-5) per family. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 30 families who sign up.

To secure your spot, scan the QR code or use this link (https://beav.es/pTv)

Feel free to share this opportunity with other parents and caregivers who may benefit from this unique experience.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the P3 study, please contact:

Dr. Sharon Shen (sharon.shen@oregonstate.edu)

Dr. Shauna Tominey (shauna.tominey@oregonstate.edu)

We look forward to your participation!

The P3 Research Team

The P3 Project Website

The Health, Environment, and Leisure Research Lab

Hallie E Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families

Oregon State University

Playful Path to Parenting Workshops

What do you love about Alsea? What makes it unique? Do you have concerns about resources in Alsea? We want to hear from you! We’ll gather your experiences and share them with community leaders to advocate for community-led change.

The 2024 Oregon by the Numbers report will be available in September — sign up before July 31 to have a printed copy mailed to you!

Foodsmart is a free program that helps IHN-CCO members save money and feel their best. This is done through one-on-one virtual nutritional coaching, personalized meal plans and grocery savings tools.

We've all heard of CPR. And because of it, many of us know what to do if someone is choking on a small piece of food or having trouble breathing. But do you know what to do if someone around you is having a panic attack or suicidal thoughts? That's what Mental Health First Aid is for.

Any parent with a child ages 0-3 concerned about their child’s hearing can now text the word HEAR to 274 448 to receive free text messages, in English or Spanish, to help them navigate a hearing loss diagnosis.

Looking for something fun to do this summer? Pollywog has rounded up activities and community events from all over Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. Find a fair, a free meal, or a fun time for your family near you!