The following is from South Wasco Alliance:
The South Wasco Alliance has launched a new jobs creation and workforce planning project aimed at identifying and supporting critical service roles across South Wasco County. The initiative is funded through a Community Economic Development Planning (CEDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The effort responds to longstanding concerns from residents and local organizations about the need for better access to healthcare, childcare, behavioral health services, transportation, and other resources that support livability in rural communities.
As part of the project, South Wasco Alliance will coordinate with local and regional partners to gather community input, identify key service gaps, and outline job roles that could improve access to basic services. The initiative also includes a strategy to connect those roles to sustainable funding sources and prepare for implementation through a future round of federal support.
Partners in the project include Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), Papalaxsimisha, Columbia Gorge Health Council, and the South Wasco Health Collaborative, among others. Community engagement activities are underway and will continue throughout the summer and fall.