85 



dysfunctional families that were caught up in a qcIc of domestic violence, child abuse, 

 alcohol and drugs, thus raising at risk children, destined to be our next generation of 

 criminals. 



Many of these families were dislocated timber workers (see attached 1995 Jackson County 

 Housing Authority Report.) As a result of budget cuts and decline in O & C revenues, 

 Jackson Count>- will no longer be participating in the Rogue Family Center program. The 

 county programs include, prenatal care and referral services to obstetricians, 

 immunizations, well/sick child check-ups, blood pressure checks, stress management, 

 nutrition assistance, answers to general medical questions and home visits to pregnant 

 women and mothers with young children. Mental Health will also be terminated, including 

 counseling for children and adults for low income families and persons receiving Medicaid. 

 We will also tenninate HEALTHY START, a home visitation program for first birth 

 families, providing new parents with information on baby care, infant feeding, gro^^th and 

 development, acti\-ities to stimulate learning and parenting skills. Children in this area 

 come to school witli no readiness skills and many abuse symptoms. The long term impact 

 on society* is expensive, for these children at risk and it is preventable through a little 

 investment and training during the first few months. 



If the levy fails in September, Jackson County Health Department will be out of the 

 project entirely. Thus, the very people that would have timber industry jobs, out of work, 

 needing county services, will not be served. The long terra effects on this community and 

 on Jackson county are immeasurable. I have been involved with this communit}' in an 

 elected official capacity since 1980 when I was elected to the District 9 School Board , a 

 district which includes this community. I have worked with this community toward 

 empowerment for the residents for all these years. Here is an example, where the blue 

 collar workers, retired fixed income residents, and generally motivated community, need a 

 hand up with the few disenfranchised, problem families. We help with teaching self- 

 sufficiency. Each family we help through crisis and back into a functioning unit, is 

 thousands of dollars and heartache saved. 



