Oregon Senator Unveils $12 Million Upstream Initiative to Revolutionize Infant Health and Break Poverty Cycle
Pioneering new approaches to infant health will contribute to a brighter future for the children and communities of Oregon says Senator Lisa Reynolds.
Sen. Reynolds, pediatrician and Chair of the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health, yesterday co-presented Senate Bill 1167 to fund Child Success Models focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
The Upstream Initiative Will Invest $12 Million Statewide
Known as the ‘Upstream Initiative,’ the legislature will invest $12 million statewide, providing critical resources, health care, and supportive social connections.
The aim of the Upstream Initiative, led by the Oregon Health and Education Collaborative, is to transform early childhood and perinatal support systems.
Jackson and Josephine counties will receive $3.5 million to give every child a push start, from pregnancy to age 2, the critical period for brain development, healthy early relationships, and long-term wellbeing.
The funding will finance seven regional pilot schemes across Oregon, with the Southern Oregon Success and the Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub receiving $3,550,000 over two years to provide infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) support.
The Community-Driven Initiative Unites Health, Education, and Social Services
The community-driven initiative unites health, education, and social service partners to address the root causes of poverty, housing instability, and racism.
CareOregon CEO, Eric Hunter, says communities live under stress and poverty prevents families from accessing the resources they need. These circumstances can cause adverse childhood events, leading to bigger challenges in future years, like substance abuse and housing instability.
‘It is time to break the cycle and invest so that all our children can reach their full potential,’ says Hunter, whose organization is one of the Upstream Initiative funders.
The Oregon Health and Education Collaborative unites education and healthcare partners to build and sustain transformative initiatives to improve the well-being of the youth.
By eliminating disparities based on income, zip code, and race, the Collaborative aligns with its partners to devise and introduce community systems that will give every child an equal opportunity to succeed.