A huge chunk of the billions upon billions of dollars that Americans spend on health care, emergency services, social services and criminal justice boils down to what happens – or doesn’t happen — to children in their families and communities. Skamania Klickitat Community Network provides training, information and resources to increase awareness of the growing science showing the links between chi
ldhood adversity, trauma and health and wellness. Established legislatively in 1996 under RCW 70-190, the Skamania Klickitat Community Network (SKCN) is one of a number of Public Community Health and Safety Networks working across Washington State in urban, rural and tribal communities. For many years Networks were mandated by the Washington state legislature to address at least one of these seven problem areas in communities-child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, teen suicide, high school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and youth violence. Networks work within their local communities to reduce the rates of these problems, using the collective resources and knowledge of the community to bring about desired change. In 2012, the Washington State legislature, under tremendous budget pressure, elected to continue the work of the Community Networks but removed all public funding. Surviving Networks now operate through blended sources, relying on grants, donations and other organizations to continue providing services in their community. The SKCN board of directors is made up of service providers and community members from throughout our two-county region who are focused on specific issues affecting our resident. Our board has chosen to focus their efforts on reducing the rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) by working to address child abuse and neglect, teen and adult substance abuse, and domestic violence. The purpose of the Network is:
· To improve community response and social services to families and children in Skamania and Klickitat Counties.
· Enhance the communities’ ability to rapidly and effectively address the needs of families and children at risk.
· Facilitate greater social service coordination and collaboration.
· Provide a community-wide forum to assess and address the ongoing needs of families and children. Volunteers from the community are encouraged to serve on the board. Skamania Klickitat Community Network (SKCN) Board of Directors has opportunities for representation from school districts, law enforcement, churches, youth groups, tribal agencies, local government, high school students, and other community based agencies.
