Healthy Start 

Healthy Start/Healthy Families On-Line Referral Form

"May all children and families be safe, happy and healthy."

Mission: “Promote and support positive parenting and healthy growth and development for all Clackamas County parents and their first-born children.”

HEALTHY START SERVICES ARE VOLUNTARY AND FREE!! INCOME LEVEL DOES NOT MATTER.

Raising a family and having a child in today's world is a big responsibility. It's not always easy to know the "right" thing to do as a parent-who to turn to with a question or who to talk to when things seem overwhelming. We understand that you are your child's first and best teacher, and we want to help you be the best parent you can be. Every child deserves a healthy start!

Many new parents want information about how babies and young children grow and develop. They also want to know what they can do to best support their child’s healthy development and growing brain. Healthy Start is here to help with that by providing home visits and one-on-one parenting support to first time parents.

In recent years as researchers have studied the developing brain we have learned some very important things:

• The parent/child relationship is the foundation of the child’s healthy development.
• Children’s development depends on both the traits he or she was born with (nature) and what he or she experiences (nurture).
• All areas of development (social, emotional, intellectual, language and motor) are linked. Each depends on, and influences, the others.
• What children experience, including how their parents respond to them, shapes their development as they adapt to the world.

Who is Eligible for Healthy Start?

Anyone in Clackamas County who is expecting or has had their first child in the past three months may be eligible to receive home visits and one-on-one parenting support. All other Clackamas County families with children ages 0-5 may join our play groups.

What is Healthy Start?

We are a collaborative group of social services agencies, early childhood educators, family support workers and volunteers who offer support and services to parents of children ages 0-5 in Clackamas County. We offer a variety of services that give information about parenting, bonding with your baby, healthy infant growth and development as well as resources in your community.

Healthy Start Services:

• One-on-one parenting support and home visits to first-time parents and their child
• Parent/child interactive playgroups throughout Clackamas County

How Do I Get Involved?

You can access our services at no charge because we are funded by grants and private donations. We can answer your questions over the phone, come to your home and meet your family, visit you in the hospital when you have your baby-whatever is convenient and easy for you.

Call Healthy Start~Healthy Family's to learn more about our program at 503-546-6533 (Spanish too!)

If you would like to fill out our on line form and receive a phone call with more information about Healthy Start, please click here, fill in your information and click submit. We’ll be happy to have someone contact you and help find the resources that will best fit your needs.

Hearing impaired, Speech impaired or Deaf TTY 1-800-735-2900 (Relay).
To FAX a referral: 503-655-8145

Back to Top

Log into your Facebook account, and in the top “search” field, type Healthy Start/Healthy Families of Clackamas County and you can “LIKE” our page!

You can stay updated on things that are going on with our program, and show your support for reducing Child Abuse and Neglect, and supporting families in our community!!

Help us reach our 1st goal of having 5,000 Fans!

Healthy Start/Healthy Families Facebook Page!

Parent and Child Playgroups

• CANBY - TUESDAYS, 10:00-11:30AM - Bethany Church,  450 S. Ivy St.  SPANISH & ENGLISH
  
  
• CLACKAMAS - TUESDAYS, 10-11:30AM, INDOOR PLAY PARK SETTING. Valleyview Church, 11501 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas. www.valley-view.org. Enter at north entrance – meet us in the gym! Follow the signs. Basketball court for adults too!
  
  
• GLADSTONE  (2 DAYS)  - MONDAYS, 12:15-1:45PM.  and FRIDAYS 10-11:30AM  Gladstone Center for Children and Families, 18905 Portland Ave. Gladstone, OR 97027 (across from Gladstone HS). INDOOR PLAY PARK SETTING WITH A COVERED OUTDOOR PLAY AREA! SPANISH AND ENGLISH SPEAKING.
  
  
• MILWAUKIE - WEDNESDAYS, 10-11:30AM. Milwaukie Christian Church, 5197 SE King Rd.  www.gomcc.org. for directions.
  
  
• OREGON CITY  - TUESDAYS, 10:00 – 11:30AM.  OC United Methodist Church, 18955 South End Rd.  (South of Warner Parrot Rd.) 
  
  
• SANDY - WEDNESDAYS, 10:30AM-NOON, Sandy Adult Community Center,38348 Pioneer Blvd.
  
  
• STAFFORD/TUALATIN –- FRIDAYS, 9:30 - 11:00AM   Rolling Hills Community Church,   3550 SW Borland Rd., Tualatin (off Stafford Rd. near I-205 and Wankers corner).  Enter the west side of the church (find green playgroup sign) and follow the hallway to the right. Enter room 109 just past the library. www.rollinghills.org/directions.cfm
  
  
• WEST LINN - WEDNESDAYS, 10:00-11:30AM.  Sunset Fire Hall, 2215 Long St. West Linn (next to Sunset Park). INDOOR PLAY PARK SETTING.
  
  
• WILSONVILLE – NEW DAY!!  THURSDAYS, beginning 9/22 - 10-11:30AM.  Wilsonville United Methodist Church, 7355 SW Wilsonville Rd. (next to Rose Lane - by Bridgecreek Apts.).
  
  

Benefits of Playgroups:

Playgroups provide opportunities for parents to learn from each other, share common experiences and concerns, develop lasting friendships, and form new support networks.

Playgroups are free to all families no matter the income level.

For Tri-Met information go to Tri-Met's trip planner to get a bus schedule for the playgroup you plan to attend OR call 503-238-RIDE (7433).

You are welcome to join any playgroup day that works best for you and can attend as many playgroups as you wish each week. To register, just show up at playgroup and ask our volunteer for a form.

Supported by Healthy Start/Healthy Families of Clackamas County and funded by the Clackamas County Children, Youth and Families Division.

A time to get on the floor (or grass) and play with your child and share giggles and new experiences…

These playgroups have no religious affiliation.

Churches and Community Centers have donated space for our use and enjoyment and we thank them!

If you have question about Healthy Start playgroups, need directions or wish to start a playgroup in your area, please call Wendy at 503-655-8601.

Other Community Resources:

Clackamas County reduced cost car seats for low income families

Car Seat Safety Checks are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month by appointment only. Call Wendy Hays at 503-655-8234 to schedule a 20-30 minute appointment an appointment, please provide the following information child’s name, height, weight, date of birth and age; the year, make and model of the vehicle that will be used; parent’s name and phone number. Bring your car and car seat instruction manuals if you have them.

Gladstone Center for Children and Families
18905 Portland Ave.
Gladstone, OR 97027
(Across from Gladstone High School)

If you are in need of a new car seat and are income eligible (on WIC, TANF, SNAP, etc…) you may purchase a car seat at a reduced rate. Below are the suggested co-pay costs:

• COSCO Convertable Car Seat $30.00*
  (5-40lbs., rear and front facing, height 19”-43”)
  Must be over 20#, 1 year old and 34” tall before moving to a forward facing position with this seat.
• COSCO Hi Back Booster Car Seat $30.00*
  22-40lbs, height 34”-43” with harness, front facing, over 1 year,
  40-80lbs, height 43”-52” w/o harness converts to booster
• COSCO Belt Positioning Booster $20.00*
  (40 – 80lbs, front facing, 34” – 52”) with headrest
• COSCO Auto Booster$10. 00* (40-100lbs., height 34” -57”)

*Please make checks or money orders payable to SSCC. NO DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS. Cash is accepted.

**by appointment only 503-655-8234.

Funded by ODOT Transportation Safety Division, ODOT Region 1 and Clackamas County Children, Youth & Families Division. Supported by ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center, Healthy Start/Healthy Families of Clackamas County and Gladstone center for Children and Families.

For more information on car seat clinics, dates and locations visit : www.childsafetyseat.org

Healthy Start Partners:

Clackamas County Children's Commission
Clackamas County Social Services - Volunteer Connection
Clackamas County Children, Youth & Families Division

Children, Youth & Families Division
Contact: Erin Deahn, Healthy Start Program Administrator – 503-496-3937
FAX: 503-655-8145
edeahn@co.clackamas.or.us