Umatilla, Morrow, and Union counties are part of the Upstream Initiative

PENDLETON – A nonprofit organization, The Collaborative, is rolling out a program that will support children’s ability to learn during the first 1,000 days of life. Collaborative Board Chairman John Kitzhaber was in Pendleton to discuss the effort. Umatilla, Union, and Morrow counties are among the eight counties starting the program, the Upstream Initiative.

“Stress before conception and during pregnancy can actually alter the genetic expression in the unborn child and increase the risk of things like poor cognitive functions and learning disabilities,” Kitzhaber said.

He is working closely with InterMountain Education Service District Superintendent Mark Mulvihill in getting the Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub up and running with the program. Only eight Oregon counties are participating as the program begins. In addition to Union, Umatilla, and Morrow participants include Multnomah, Lane, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. The BMELH is overseeing the efforts of the three Eastern Oregon counties. Umatilla School Superintendent Heidi Sipe is also on the board of directors for The Collaborative.

The Upstream Initiative’s goal is to ensure that every family has what they need to give children a strong start from prenatal through age 2. It recognizes that the nourishment and care children receive during the first 1,000 days of life sets the foundation for their lifelong capacity to grow and learn. The goal is to offset the roles poverty, inequity, and geography play in undermining a strong start.

More information about The Collaborative’s initiative is at https://www.oregoncollaborative.org/upstream-initiative.

Photo from The Oregon Collaborative website

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Elkhorn Media Group

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