About Us

Welcome to the Hood River County Prevention Department. Our focus is on Well-Being for All.
We are a county wide, bi-lingual and inclusive organization that works across the spectrums of wellness and injustice to help every community member thrive.
We work upstream, with an emphasis on health promotion and prevention while striving towards a healthy, safe and drug-free Hood River County.
Our education, programs and support for our children, families and community is based on a foundation of cultural humility, inclusion, fun and equity.
In 1993, the Oregon Legislature ordered that each county create a Commission on Children and Families to work on a few main challenges: child abuse and neglect, teen tobacco, alcohol and drug use, and teen pregnancy.
Over the next decade, the Commission received state and grant funding that allowed it to address even more issues. Some of these focus areas included empowering parents, building healthy families, and preventing substance misuse.
During this time, the Commission also worked on building programs that were supported by research and would reach and serve all the different groups in our community.












In 2005, the Commission began its Positive Youth Development initiative which partnered with faith-based and Drug Free Communities coalitions. Eventually, the youth program turned into the Health Media Clubs at Wy’east Middle School, Hood River Middle School, and Hood River Valley High School.
In 2015, the Commission was renamed as the Hood River County Prevention Department. Currently, we mainly work on prevention education for youth, promoting smoke-free communities, and facilitating coalitions to build a healthier county. From the start, our department has committed ourselves to keep equity and collaboration at the center of our work to create a healthy, safe and drug-free Hood River County.
Our Funding
The Prevention Department is primarily funded through a variety of state, federal and local grants.
Donations of time and talent from community members are greatly appreciated!
Please contact us if you would like to get involved.