Our strategy to help more kids.

In fall of 2022, KIDS Center unveiled our new multi-year Strategic Plan. This plan outlines a range of initiatives— from making it easier for children and partners to access our services, to expanding our therapy program and training offerings, to always striving to provide a top-notch workplace, and boosting our fundraising to support our services. The common thread that unites them all? Helping more kids who need us across our region. Here’s how:

Read our 3 Year Strategic Plan or request a printed copy by emailing us at info@kidscenter.org

Scan the QR code to read our plan online...

Prepare now for tomorrow’s need.

Central Oregon faces many challenges: a booming population, rising costs of living, and a major housing shortage. We expect these conditions will lead to a higher number of child abuse cases in the coming years. Our plan ensures KIDS Center will be staffed to serve more children and families in need of child abuse evaluations, family advocacy and therapy.

Make it easier for families to access our services.

Our service area covers more than 20,000 square miles across Central and Eastern Oregon. Many of the communities we serve are several hours away. Outside of our metro area, distance creates many barriers that can prevent families from coming to KIDS Center. Families may be unable to leave work—or lose a day’s pay—to make a long drive for a child abuse evaluation than can last 4 or more hours. They may lack reliable transportation, or they may encounter winter weather that makes travel unsafe. Distance also makes it more difficult for our partners in law enforcement and child welfare to attend these evaluations; communities can not always spare a police officer or child welfare worker for an entire day. Our Strategic Plan addresses these barriers, with the goal of improving access for children in Crook and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our Plan also explores how we could serve children and families in Harney, Sherman, and Wheeler Counties.

Why is access to KIDS Center so crucial? Children and families who receive our comprehensive services experience better outcomes—in both the short and long-term. Our services are grounded in best practices, effective at evaluating abuse, and designed to minimize re-traumatization. Families benefit from emotional support, on-going therapy, and an advocate who can connect them with resources. Children are also better supported if their case goes to trial. Our services are free, so families can get help without additional financial stress.

Support our partners with trainings and expertise.

We can help more kids by supporting our community partners in medicine, education, law enforcement, child welfare, and the justice system. This is especially true in Harney, Wheeler and Sherman counties, which are outside of our direct service area. Our Strategic Plan calls for expanding training opportunities and deepening relationships with our partners across the region, so they can better identify, respond and investigate suspected cases of child abuse in their local communities.

How will we make it happen?

Our Strategic Plan also focuses on how to fully support these initiatives through people, systems and resources. The Plan provides a blueprint to:

Ensure we recruit and retain talented professional staff

Further strengthen our connections to our communities.

Ensure our events remain current, vibrant and successful.

Explore our potential to serve a broader region.

414 children received child abuse evaluation services

393 families received advocacy services

783 therapy sessions for children and family members

848 adults trained in child safety

The Bend Police Department values its partnership with KIDS Center. We are privileged to have a program like KIDS Center serving our region.