An Achievement 10 Years in the Making

Clackamas County Children need reliable and sustainable help and support. Just last year, over 2,000 children were reported to have experienced some form of abuse and neglect in our county, and 495 children spent at least 1 day in foster care according to the Oregon Department of Human Services. Traumatic experiences take a tremendous toll on the health and well-being of children in our community, and successful prevention and intervention measures have a cost.

For 10 years Safe Kids Clackamas has worked to ensure critical services remain available for all children who need them in our community, through a local-option levy which would create steady funding for services for years to come. Spearheading this effort is a collaborative team of nonprofits and public service agencies who serve our most vulnerable youth and witness the impact violence has on their lives. The Steering Committee, comprised of leaders from Parrot Creek, CWS, Children’s Center, Northwest Family Services, and CASA, have been working diligently on this effort.

In December 2019, the Board of County Commissioners committed to funding a comprehensive poll to assess the viability of putting a Children’s Safety Levy on the November 2020 ballot. Conducted in June, the poll verified strong support among Clackamas County residents. The poll affirmed what we have seen over the years–Clackamas County voters are willing to support a levy that provides core safety services for children and youth. On August 13, Clackamas County Commissioners voted unanimously to refer the measure to the November ballot.

The ballot measure comes at a time when the pandemic has laid bare existing gaps in our protective systems and the needs of vulnerable populations in our community. Reports have shown a continued decline in child abuse reporting due to children having limited interactions with safe adults in the community while at home under stay-at-home orders. While many families are struggling with the impact that disruptions in schooling will have on young people, children experiencing abuse and neglect without adequate intervention will disproportionately experience the harmful impacts for many years to come.

This is why we are so excited to see the Clackamas County community prioritize the needs of these children. The Children’s Safety Levy would support local children’s safety prevention and intervention services delivered by nonprofits and will be used only within Clackamas County. According to the Yes for Clackamas Kids website, “The average homeowner will pay just $3.78 per month on a home with an average assessed value of $302,000.” For less than the cost of a coffee each month, Clackamas County voters can build a strong foundation for the future of our children.

With the November election less than 60 days away, we need your help to ensure the levy passes. Follow and share the Clackamas Kids Facebook, or Instagram posts to help spread the word. You can also make a donation to the campaign, sign up to volunteer, and learn more on their website. And vote yes on Measure 3-564!