About

Building Healthy Families

Our Core Values

EXPRESS and instill kindness, optimism, play and gratitude through our words, thoughts, and actions.

PROVIDE support, encouragement, and accountability.

EMBRACE and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique, while finding strength in our connections.

BUILD strength in ourselves and others to nurture personal growth and development.

LEAD with an open mind and assume positive intent.

ADVOCATE for ourselves and others.

FOSTER healthy lifestyles to support healthy families and community.

What We Do

We provide early childhood programs, youth development and mentoring, education programs, family resources, parenting education, and medical partnerships in Eastern Oregon

Board of directors

Katie Howard

CHAIR

Operations Manager

Debbie Hadden

VICE CHAIR

Retired Educator

John Lawrence

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Retired Youth Services Director

Quinn Berry

Mental Health Private Practitioner

Landon Braden + Brett Baxter

Wallowa County ESD Superintendent + Assistant Superintendent

Rebecca Frolander

Wallowa County District Attorney

Cammie Hale

Community Bank VP/Operations Support

Amy Mork

Registered Nurse at Wallowa Memorial Hospital

Leah Svendsen

Business Owner

Our Journey

1999

Established

Building Healthy Families is established as an outcome of a community planning survey conducted by the Wallowa County Commission on Children and Families. The survey indicated a strong need for parent education and children/family engagement opportunities.

2002

Building Healthy Families receives a large, multi-year grant from The Ford Family Foundation under their “Enhancing the Skills of Parents Initiative”. This provided increased FTE allowing BHF to secure an additional grant from The Oregon Community Foundation to bring evidence-based parent education to Wallowa County.

2002-2003

BHF is awarded the contract for Healthy Start, a referral and home visiting program for first-time parents. A Healthy Start home visitor was hired and the first BHF Advisory Board was formed.

2004

BHF is awarded 501(c)(3) status and begins to increase its funder/donor base.

2005

Under new leadership, BHF developed a mission, vision, sustainability plan and organizational plan. The Board of Directors was expanded and the first Parent Education Coordinator was hired.

2008-2009

BHF begins developing and launching school-based programs such as After-School Exploration Program and Tutoring/Mentoring Program. Building Healthy Families hosts its first annual Kidfest.

2010

BHF becomes one of 6 Oregon Parent Education Collaborative (OPEC) Hubs. This included expansions into Baker County to provide parent education classes and workshops. BHF also expands its Healthy Start program to include Baker County. Additionally, BHF becomes the home for Wallowa County Prevention and the Wallowa County Alternative Education Program.

2011

BHF receives a large Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant allowing school-based programs to expand to all 3 school districts in Wallowa County. A Home Visit Coordinator was hired as program services expanded.

2012

Building Healthy Families is awarded a grant contract with The Department of Human Services District #13 to provide Family Support and Connections Home Visiting Services to Wallowa, Baker and Union Counties. BHF establishes an Early Learning Center.

2015

Through continued OPEC Hub funding, BHF expands parent education services in Malheur County and also home visiting services are expanded through Healthy Families of Oregon to serve Malheur County families. Early Head Start and Wallowa County CASA are now contracted with Building Healthy Families.

2016

BHF receives a start-up fund grant to become a USDA Summer Lunch site serving a daily summer lunch in Enterprise, Wallowa and Joseph.

2017

The first Medical Partnership Coordinator is hired allowing a dramatic increase in our Health-Based programs. Mini Mountaineers is launched. The Safe Sitter program, a babysitter training program for youth 6-8^th grade, is launched in Wallowa, Baker and Malheur Counties.

2018

With the closing of the Wallowa County Health Department, BHF begins providing services such as Car Seat fitting/education, the Diaper Bank and bike helmet and life jacket fittings and distribution. Along with the closing of the County Library, their services also move to BHF. Kindergarten readiness activities in the daycares are offered through BHF.

2019

Building Healthy Families becomes a Harvest Share site. A CASA Closet is developed to provide foster parents and those in need with children’s clothing, shoes, safe sleep bedding, blankets, jackets, etc.

2023

Building Healthy Families adds Union County to their Parenting Education Hub.

2024

25 Years

Building Healthy Families celebrates 25 years of services in Eastern Oregon.

GET INVOLVED

Building Healthy Families relies on the incredible support of our community and the generosity of our dedicated volunteers to make our work possible. Whether it’s donating time, resources, or expertise, every contribution helps us provide vital programs and services that strengthen families and build a healthier, more connected community. Together, we’re creating opportunities and making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families.