SWACH invites you to our Community Care Gathering on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Fourth Plain Community Commons in Vancouver, WA. This event is designed as a safe and welcoming space for post-election reflection, connection, and healing. Whether you need time to reflect, connect with others, or recharge, this event offers intentional spaces for rest and rejuvenation, including affinity spaces for deeper conversations and support. Don’t miss this opportunity to come together and strengthen our community. Register here.

Join us for SWACH’s Ballot Education & Fill Out Party on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 311 West 11th Street, Vancouver, WA. In partnership with Fourth Plain Forward, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn about the voting process, ask questions, and complete your ballot with the support of community members. Don’t miss this chance to engage in the democratic process and ensure your voice is heard!

The PRACC October meeting will take place in person at Bridgeview Resource Center in Vancouver, WA, on Friday, October 25th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This important gathering will celebrate the achievement of our common agenda goals and begin setting shared measurements to support ongoing public health initiatives. Join us to collaborate with fellow community leaders and workgroups as we define our next steps in strengthening community health in Southwest Washington. We look forward to seeing you there to contribute to this vital work.

Join us for Advocacy 101, a hands-on workshop designed to equip you with the tools to advocate for meaningful change in your community. Learn how to engage with lawmakers, navigate the legislative process, and amplify your voice on critical issues. This fun and educational session, led by advocacy experts, will help you build the confidence to speak up and make an impact. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your advocacy skills and contribute to the conversation on policy changes in Southwest Washington. Food and beverages will be provided. Register now to secure your spot!

Learn more about SWACH’s advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting health equity across Southwest Washington.

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for a virtual meeting Sept. 27 Bringing together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community, PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. To join the Zoom meeting at the date and time of Click Here.

Join us for a one-day conference to learn more about collective impact and how it moves equity and systems change forward. We’ll explore what collective impact is, how it creates systems change, and ways to apply collective impact frameworks to your collaborative work. The conference is free, and geared towards social service agencies, funders, government agencies, healthcare providers, community health workers, and anyone working in Southwest Washington to help our communities realize their full potential. Breakout sessions will include tracks covering topics related to rural health, Native and Tribal health, behavioral health, policy and advocacy, and community health workers.

Sign up here.

Join SWACH’s Heather Sheppard and Fourth Plain Forward’s Paris Nelson for dinner and an insightful session on navigating the complexities of the Washington State Legislature. This event will explore the inner workings of our state legislature process, how decisions are made, and dive into the journey of how a bill transforms into a law. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to policy work, this session will equip you with the knowledge to understand and influence legislative outcomes in Washington State.

Please enter the building using the front entrance located on Fourth Plain Boulevard and follow the signs to the event space. You are permitted to park in any space labelled "commercial" but please note that parking is limited. If there are no spots available you are welcome to use alternative parking lots at Domino's (2903 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661) and Umpqua Bank (3301 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661).

Register here.

El Grito, kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in White Salmon annually in September at Rheingarten Park. Admission is free, and the event is open to all.

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as a week-long commemoration of the blend of multicultural groups with roots throughout the Americas.

The annual Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair is a community gathering of nonprofit groups and other exhibitors coming together to promote a harmonious, healthy, peaceful, and sustainable community. For more: https://vancouverpeaceandjusticefair.org/

Join Heather Sheppard and Paris Nelson for coffee and chat about policy and advocacy priorities!

On Friday, August 30, the community is invited to an evening of information on Opioid addiction, resources for help and stories from community members of lived experiences in Klickitat County. Doors open at 5:30 pm for pizza, with the event from 6-7:45 pm.
SWACH will be represented at the event by Director of Community Health Improvement Ashley Gaffney and Sashila Mistuik, Community Health Improvement Program Manager.

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for a virtual meeting August 23. Bringing together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community, PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. To join the Zoom meeting at the date and time of Click Here.

Join us on August 21, 2024 for Fentanyl Prevention and Overdose Awareness Day! This is a remarkable chance to gather as a community and honor those we’ve lost to overdose.

Memorial walkthrough - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Community event - 3 - 6 p.m.
O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St. A, Vancouver, WA 98661

Interested in participating/volunteering? Complete a short survey to let us know!

This event is the 8th annual Overdose Awareness Day event organized by Lyn Fortner.

If you are a family member or have lost a loved one and are looking for other families to connect with, please contact Lyn Fortner at lyn@recoveryforeveryone.us or 360-702-8867

Join Heather Sheppard and Dominique Horn for coffee and chat about policy and advocacy priorities!

Join Heather Sheppard and Paris Nelson for coffee and chat about policy and advocacy priorities!

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for a virtual meeting July 26. Bringing together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community, PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. To join the Zoom meeting at the date and time of Click Here.

Mark your calendars for July 21-28th as we celebrate the vital role our community-based workforce plays in supporting individuals and families in accessing resources and overcoming barriers to health and social care. On July 25, we celebrate our community-based workforce at YWCA with an event including chair massages, self-care stations, networking, and bingo for a chance to win great prizes.

RSVP here.

RSVP here. Questions about the event? Contact heather.sheppard@southwestach.org

Join SWACH’s Heather Sheppard and Paris Nelson for coffee and chat about policy and advocacy priorities!

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for its quarterly in person meeting. Join us as we bring together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community. PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. This meeting will be held at the Bridgeview Resource Center.

Click here to sign up for this training.

In this interactive workshop, facilitators (two of whom are experienced CHWs) will use popular/people’s education methods (which build on what participants already know) to support participants to get in touch with their own feelings and thoughts about research and evaluation, as a step towards decreasing fears and increasing confidence to be involved in research and evaluation.

The group will jointly identify the benefits of CHW leadership and involvement in research and evaluation about their profession and their programs. Participants will get more familiar with key research and evaluation terms and concepts and will feel more confident in using them. Participants will increase their awareness about community based participatory research and evaluation (CBPR/E), an approach that shares many historical roots and key principles with the CHW model and popular education. They will understand why CBPR/E is a particularly appropriate approach to research and evaluation with and about CHWs.

Participants will become familiar with the mission and activities of the CHW Center for Research and Evaluation (CHW-CRE), the first national organization led by CHWs that is dedicated to increasing CHW leadership of research and evaluation about the CHW profession. They will learn how they can get involved. Finally, participants will practice key skills essential to meaningful involvement in research and evaluation, be able to use those skills in their own settings, and will know how they can continue to build those skills.

Click here to sign up for this training.

In this interactive workshop, facilitators (two of whom are experienced CHWs) will use popular/people’s education methods (which build on what participants already know) to support participants to get in touch with their own feelings and thoughts about research and evaluation, as a step towards decreasing fears and increasing confidence to be involved in research and evaluation.

The group will jointly identify the benefits of CHW leadership and involvement in research and evaluation about their profession and their programs. Participants will get more familiar with key research and evaluation terms and concepts and will feel more confident in using them. Participants will increase their awareness about community based participatory research and evaluation (CBPR/E), an approach that shares many historical roots and key principles with the CHW model and popular education. They will understand why CBPR/E is a particularly appropriate approach to research and evaluation with and about CHWs.

Participants will become familiar with the mission and activities of the CHW Center for Research and Evaluation (CHW-CRE), the first national organization led by CHWs that is dedicated to increasing CHW leadership of research and evaluation about the CHW profession. They will learn how they can get involved. Finally, participants will practice key skills essential to meaningful involvement in research and evaluation, be able to use those skills in their own settings, and will know how they can continue to build those skills.

When: June 12 and 13, and 26 and 27.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: SWACH Office
311 W 11th St
Vancouver, WA 98660

Please note: This is a four-day training, and all four sessions are required for completion. The sessions will be held on June 12 and 13, and 26 and 27. All sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you aren't able to attend all four, please let us know. We may ask to give your spot to someone who can attend all four sessions. Click here to register.

Join us in our new office space for our house! Meet our team, tour our space, and learn about our programs.

Open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP here.

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for a virtual meeting May 31. Bringing together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community, PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. To join the Zoom meeting at the date and time of click here.

Join SWACH’s Heather Sheppard, Dominique Horn, and Ashley Gaffney for coffee and chat about policy and advocacy priorities!

The Prevention and Recovery Alliance Clark County (PRACC) is meeting for a virtual meeting April 26. Bringing together diverse partners to address the substance crisis in our community, PRACC values the voices of everyone, especially those with lived experience. To learn more about PRACC click here. To join the Zoom meeting at the date and time of click here.

When: April 22
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Skyline Hospital
211 NE Skyline Dr
White Salmon, WA 98672

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a valuable training that helps you identify and address mental health and substance use challenges among adults. The skills provided in this training will help you support at-risk community members, coworkers, and other individuals you know. To sign up click here.

When: April 9, 10, 16, 17, 25, 30 and May 1
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: SWACH Office
311 W 11th St
Vancouver, WA 98660

Common Principles and Practices II builds on the topics covered in Common Principles and Practices I. This training specifically is for individuals who have already completed CP&P I. If you haven’t competed that training, please complete that before signing up for CP&P II.