Healthy Families Initiative

Overview

The Healthy Families Initiative envisions a future in which every Oregonian has the knowledge, skills and support to maintain enduring healthy relationships. All can determine— freely and for themselves—if and when to have children and all children are welcomed into, and nurtured, by families and communities that are informed, secure, safe, and healthy.

Due to the nature of our multi-year funding, we have limited new funding opportunities in 2025. These will be focused on Statewide impact, as well as on focused geographic areas of South Lane County and Fern Ridge area and will be by invitation only.

FUNDING focuses on social, emotional, physical, and wellbeing programs that utilize policies, services, and skill development to support children with an emphasis on:

• Comprehensive Health Education
• Development and Maintenance of Healthy Relationships
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing Services
• Mentorship of Children and Young People

STRATEGIES utilize interventions that address potential problems before they occur through the use of education, advocacy or mentorship.

DEMOGRAPHIC FOCUS:

  • Organizations that work on Statewide Policy & Research focused on Comprehensive Health Education and Access.

  • In 2023, in Lane County, Parenting Education programs & services. These funds have been committed and expended.

  • In 2022-2025, South Lane County programs that support and develop healthy relationships of and among children ages 5 to 18.

  • In 2024-2026, programs that serve children and families in the Fern Ridge School District geographic area.

Yarg Foundation’s preference is to provide multi-year grants over this five-year, $5M initiative.

Through directed, target funding we hope to contribute to:

  • The increase in implementation of Oregon’s state-mandated K-12 health standards

  • Lower rates of student disciplinary action

  • Lower rates of depression in children and young adults

  • Lower rates of pre-teen/ teen suicide rates

  • Lower rates of pre-teen/ teen drug use

  • Lower rates of bullying

  • Lower rates of teen pregnancy & STIs

  • Long-term decrease in number of children in foster care

  • Long-term decrease in child abuse

  • Long term decrease in domestic violence

For more information, contact: Mariana Lindsay, Program Director mariana(at)yargfoundation.org