Our Children Oregon

Advocacy outreach & community engagement: expanding our reach and impactat our children oregon we continue to broaden our advocacy efforts and community engagement, making significant strides in educating and empowering oregonians to advocate for children's issues. Here are our key achievements:* second annual children's advocacy day. Building on the success of our inaugural event, this past year's * children's advocacy day saw increased participation and geographic diversity. 45 attendees representing 15 counties across oregon. Participants included partners, educators, parents, grandparents, and children. Successfully reached 50 state legislators. Counties represented: multnomah, washington, clackamas, benton, jackson, deschutes, columbia, lane, linn, yamhill, klamath, crook, marion, malheur, and polkthe event focused on demystifying the legislative process and providing practical advocacy tools. * we offered resources related to the 2024 children's agenda.* facilitated meetings with legislators and their staff.* created a comprehensive advocacy resource page with talking points.* digital advocacy to extend our reach beyond the event. Developed an email action page for easy legislator outreach. Generated 45 emails to local legislators in support of the 2024 children's agenda.* ongoing education and engagement initiatives* right to read documentary screenings (3 screenings with over 140 total attendees) * literacy trainings: continued our efforts to raise awareness about literacy issues through 5 events, one virtual and 4 in-person, that had a total of 204 attendees (90 virtual and 114 in-person), in partnership with beaverton black parent union, y.o.u.th, naya, decoding dyslexia, boys & girls club, * interactions: expanded our engagement platform launched in 2022. We held 13 interaction events in 2023. Offered both virtual and in-person formats. Covered crucial topics such as oregon's literacy crisis and child welfare reform.* elevated rural leadership and indigenous perspectives. These initiatives demonstrate oco's commitment to fostering informed, engaged advocacy across oregon. By providing accessible education, facilitating direct engagement with legislators, and addressing a diverse range of children's issues, we're building a stronger, more effective network of advocates for oregon's children.

Research & data: driving equity through informed policy:at our children oregon (oco), we remain committed to advancing equity through data-driven policy recommendations. Our approach aims to provide legislators and public authorities with comprehensive, holistic solutions that address the diverse needs of oregon's children. Here's how we're making an impact:kids count partnership. As oregon's only annie e casey's national kids count partner for over two decades, we produce and promote the annual oregon county data book, ensure accessibility of high-quality, disaggregated data on child well-being, support evidence-based decision-making for policymakers and advocates.2023 achievements1. Kids count national data book. Contributed to and released the 2023 edition, maintaining our commitment to national standards.2. Oregon county data cards. Featured 24 indicators across 5 well-being domains. Included racially disaggregated data for many indicators. Introduced new climate and sustainability measures. Developed interactive format for enhanced user engagement. Took steps to decolonize data collection and presentation. Applied an equity lens in alignment with our research and data justice commitment.3. State of oregon's children event. Hosted our annual, virtual, informational event which was attended by community partners, legislators and their staff, and the general public. 182 people registered, and 114 people attended. Presented key findings and trends from our research. Facilitated discussions on the implications for policy and practice. Impact of our work:enhanced dialogue. Our provision of reliable, disaggregated data across demographics and geographical areas enriches discussions on child well-being. Informed decision-making: legislators and decision-makers are better equipped to serve their diverse communities based on our comprehensive data analysis. Equity advancement: by highlighting disparities and trends, we're contributing to more equitable policy development. Our research and data initiatives continue to play a crucial role in shaping policies that serve all of oregon's children. By providing accessible, comprehensive, and equity-focused data, we're empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that can lead to meaningful improvements in child well-being across the state.

Equity in policy internship program: cultivating the next generation of advocatesour children oregon's equity in policy internship program continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing diverse talent and preparing future leaders in policy and advocacy. This initiative not only enhances our organization's capacity but also contributes to building a more representative and equitable policy landscape in oregon.key achievements:1. Extensive outreach. Engaged with 41 universities and colleges across oregon. Participated in 5 university career fairs/events.2. Robust application process. Received over applications, demonstrating strong interest in our program. Onducted 35 interviews, ensuring a thorough selection process.3. Diverse cohort selection. Hired 6 interns to support our data, policy, and advocacy work. Selected candidates represent a variety of backgrounds and skill sets.4. Impactful training and experience. Interns gained hands-on experience in policy research, data analysis, and advocacy. Provided mentorship and professional development opportunities5. Successful career advancement. A high percentage of interns transition to permanent positions in policy and advocacy. Several interns have secured roles with partner organizations and even within ocoprogram impact:diversity in policy. By cruiting from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds, we're helping to diversify the policy and advocacy landscape in oregon. Skill development: interns acquire valuable skills and experience, preparing them for impactful careers in child advocacy and policy. Network building: the program facilitates connections between emerging professionals and established organizations in the field. Organizational capacity: interns contribute significantly to oco's work, enhancing our ability to serve oregon's children. Or equity in policy internship program continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering new talent and perspectives in child advocacy. By investing in these future leaders, we're not only strengthening our current work but also ensuring a bright future for child-focused policy and advocacy in oregon.