New Initiative Brings Youth Outreach Workers to North Wasco County Schools
From North Wasco County School District #21:
By Stephanie Bowen
The Dalles, Ore. Nov. 6, 2024 — North Wasco County School District is strengthening its student support services through a new partnership with The Next Door. It’s no secret, that school systems across the nation are still grappling with the post-covid world and the continued ramifications on our youth. Schools are being consistently asked to step into new roles and adapt to more and more challenges. Two major issues rising to the top, are student mental health and chronic absenteeism.
Last year, North Wasco County School District began work on the big question, “what can we do?”. A daunting question facing public schools. One, that had the school district calling for help.
Let’s backup for a second. Each year, qualifying schools receive a small portion of Targeted School Improvements funds to address key issues in schools that are underperforming in specific groups of students. This last year, as North Wasco Principals and district leaders considered the big question at hand, the group unanimously agreed to pool their school funds in order to do something with a bigger impact for students across the district.
“We knew that we had to do something, but we also knew that we weren’t alone”. Remarked North Wasco County Superintendent, Dr. Carolyn Bernal. “We also know that we have some really incredible resources in our community, some of which are already key partners in our schools.”
One of these community partners is The Next Door Inc. After months of collaboration, the two formalized plans to create a new asset for schools that launched this fall. The plan? incorporating three Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs), employed by The Next Door, into local schools to provide comprehensive support to students and their families.
The ‘YOWs’ help connect students to critical resources both in our schools, and in our community, ranging from basic needs like housing and food to in-school mentoring and mental health care, all designed to improve academic performance and overall well-being.
One of the YOW’s, Samantha Lopez, shared her personal journey and connection to the role: “When I decided to go back to online school for social work and take a leap back into the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom, I really wanted to find a job that was similar to my passion and long-term career goal. Not long after searching for work on Indeed, I saw The Next Door's Youth Outreach Worker position, and my love for the kiddos and people in my community was what drove me to this position. Getting to meet and build connections with kids in the schools as well as with their families is the best part of my job and doesn’t feel like work. It's a joy to be a support to families while providing information on resources and helping kids and families access resources within our community.”
Lopez’s story is echoed by Superintendent Bernal, who highlighted that the district's approach “focuses on the whole child—ensuring each student is known by name, valued for their strengths, and supported in their unique needs. Understanding that the needs of one student may differ greatly from the next is key to helping all students succeed.”
Assist Students in Accessing Critical Resources:
The partnership reflects a shared mission driven by the needs of our area youth: ensuring all have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. YOWs assist students with accessing the necessary resources to succeed, ranging everything from housing and food resources to mental healthcare or drug abuse treatment; They also help oversee student support groups such as the Inspiration Circle, Guys Group, Gay/StraightAlliance, Libros con Amigos, and Youth Advisory Council;
The goal of the YOWs is not a small one, addressing the full spectrum of student needs.
Address Attendance Concerns in Partnership with School Staff:
The YOW team will also be working to address issues of chronic absenteeism and lack of engagement, identifying and addressing the ‘why’, behind student absenteeism. By intervening early and providing personalized support, they can help students overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from attending school regularly, whether they stem from personal issues, family conflict, or other factors. When necessary, the YOWs will even visit students and their families at home to provide additional support, allowing the schools to get a better understanding of the student’s situation and the barriers they may face so that they can offer tailored resources and assistance.
Examples of how YOW’s Can Help:
● Help with accessing free or reduced costs for eyeglasses and eye exams
● Academic and attendance support in school such as tutoring and one one-on-one goal setting by doing weekly or biweekly check-ins with YOW
● Help with accessing food banks and housing resources
● Applying for the Oregon Health Plan and/or SNAP benefits
● Providing summer employment opportunities
● Help with creating or building a resume
● Career exploration through LCA
The partnership between North Wasco County School District and The Next Door Inc., aims to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where all students and families feel valued, safe, and empowered. By integrating Youth Outreach Workers into local schools, the district is taking a proactive step toward addressing the complex needs of students and ensuring that they have every opportunity to succeed.
“It’s truly fulfilling to work for an amazing organization at The Next Door and alongside so many awesome individuals who have similar goals,” Lopez adds. “It’s a joy to do what I do, knowing we’re making a difference in the lives of kids and families.”
For more information or to connect with the Youth Outreach Workers, families are encouraged to reach out to the North Wasco County School District or visit The Next Door’s website.
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Photo Left to right: Youth Outreach Workers Samantha Lopez, Lori Martinez, Jessica Lamoreau, and Columbia Gorge Youth Connection Supervisor Paola Escobedo, Youth Services
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