Community Mobilization

Mobilizing the community to prevent substance abuse, violence and related social ills

Community Mobilization, established by the legislature in 1989, provides counties money to involve community members in creating safe, healthy communities. Almost 90 percent of Community Mobilization funds go directly to communities and neighborhoods to do this work.

Using a risk/protective framework, each county defines its own needs and solutions to prevent substance abuse, violence and related social ills. Two key strategies further define this work:

1. The active involvement of the community

Community Mobilization brings together youth, parents and geographically, ethnically and culturally diverse groups to maximize their resources in response to community identified needs. In addition, local agencies, schools and organizations implement programs and activities that demonstrate effective outcomes.

2. Family Resource Centers

A primary focus of Community Mobilization is the development of Family Resource Centers in Clark County. Family Resource Centers are a response to the developing family support movement that advocates a local and national commitment to families.

Family Resource Centers

The movement combined knowledge of child development, family systems and community impact on families as a means to build more effective ways to promote healthy child development. It is a multicultural, multidisciplinary grassroots movement representing thousands of community efforts to help all kinds of families as they strive to raise healthy children.

A Family Resource Center is a gathering place, a community hub of activities, services and resources for children and families. It's a place where a family could go, not only in times of need, but as a regular part of their day-to-day life. Centers build on the strengths and capacities of families and families help develop centers to meet community needs.

In Clark County, the number of Family Centers is growing. Each is unique to the community and/or population it serves. 

For information about a particular center, call the number provided:

  • Battle Ground Family Resource Center, (360) 687-7126
  • Unified Camas/Washougal Family Resource Center, (360) 835-7802
  • Children's Home Society Family Resource Center, (360) 695-1325
  • Clark College Child & Family Studies Program, (360) 992-2393 or
  • (360) 992-2179
  • Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) Family Center, (360) 896-9912
  • Fruit Valley Family Resource Center, (360)-313-1904
  • Jim Parsley Center, (360) 313-1000
  • Vancouver Housing Authority Rise & Stars Community Center, (360) 737-2950

In addition to and in support of center development, representatives of the various centers meet regularly to network, share resources, offer technical assistance, and help new programs get off the ground. This group is called the Family Center Network Technical Assistance Team. The group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12-1:30 pm. 

For more information, contact DeDe Sieler at (360) 397-2130 ext. 5229.

Additional resources

Office of National Drug Control Policy
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp
An excellent list of links to various sites related to drug and alcohol use.

Family Support America
http://www.frca.org/
Family Support America is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the family support movement.