Children's Commission

Vision/Mission/Values

Revised March, 2008

Vision

All Island County children and youth shall be safe, secure, educated, healthy, and supported to achieve their individual dreams and realize their rich potentials.

Mission

Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for all Island County children and youth through informed advocacy and inclusive collaboration.

Core Values

Children, youth and their families are a valued and important resource.
Children and youth are individuals whose experiences in Island County are diverse.
Basic needs must be met for all children and youth, including safety, security, health and literacy.
Each young person deserves opportunities to reach full potential.
Young people must be listened to and treated with dignity and respect.
A cohesive, rather than competitive, community best supports our young people and their families.
Working collaboratively is essential to improving and safeguarding the lives of children and youth.
Honoring diversity, in all its forms, is essential for a strong community.
We are most powerful when we partner with children, youth, families and community.
Strength-based, family empowerment works best for most families and their children.
Each family is unique. Therefore, services must be flexible and responsive in order to best serve young people, in all their environments.
Families are the first and most important influence on the development, health and welfare of their children.

Vital Statistics:

° Community Health Advisory Board began planning for a Children’s Commission in 2004

° Formally established by Island County Board of Health on September 17, 2007

° Ordinance-based Children’s Commission, per Island County Code

° Currently 18 members, appointed by the Board of Health

° Part-time staff support located in Island County Public Health, Assessment & Community Development Section

° Began meeting in public session on November 1, 2007

° Regularly scheduled meetings the 1^st Thursday of each month, 4:30 to 6:30 PM, Commissioners Hearing Room, County Campus, Annex Building, Coupeville

Purpose:

The purpose of the Island County Children’s Commission is to assess and identify the needs of infants, young children and youth in Island County, and to advocate and work collaboratively to address priority concerns. The Children’s Commission will regularly apprise local officials, and the community-at-large, of the state of children and youth in Island County, such that appropriate decisions can be made on behalf of our young citizens. The Children’s Commission is the official voice for children in Island County.

Mode of Operation:

The Island County Children’s Commission meets in public session the 1^st Thursday of each month. Their task is to assess and analyze all available data and indicators regarding the health and welfare of infants, young children and youth county-wide. This includes providing a public forum for citizenry and collateral professionals to bring issues before the Children’s Commission for discussion and consideration. In this way, needs of children and youth are identified and prioritized, and issue-specific sub-committees may be created to address those needs. The Children’s Commission intends to serve as the catalyst to bring together individuals from the community who have strong interest in solving each specific issue impacting our young citizens.

Appointed Membership:

Children’s Commission members are appointed by the Island County Board of Health to two-year terms, which may be subject to renewal. Current membership listed at right. The staff support person is Dan N. Bond, MSW, 360-678-7884, danb@co.island.wa.us

Children’s Commission
Board Membership
Updated 8/14/08

Contact/Staff : Dan N. Bond, MSW, 360-678-7884, danb@co.island.wa.us

Board Picture

Peggy Dyer, M.S.W. Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Island County
Oak Harbor

Carol Stillian, M.P.A.
Community member with extensive related experience (Board Chair)
Camano Island

Janice O’Mahony, M.S.W.
Retired, and immediate past Chair of Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Langley

Rod Merrell, M.Ed.
Principal, Langley Middle School
Coupeville

Bess Windecker-Nelson, M.S., Ph.D.
Developmental Psychologist and Early Childhood/Family Consultant
Langley

Mark Brown, B.S.
Island County Sheriff
Oak Harbor

Marjorie Forbes, B.A.
Family Volunteer Services Unit Supervisor, DSHS/DCFS
Oak Harbor

Sandy Ziemer, BSN/RN
Registered Nurse, Past Snohomish Co. Children’s Commission Chair
Greenbank

Dave White, M.A.
Clinical Director, Family Advocacy Program, Naval Air Station Whidbey
Anacortes

Cynthia Shelton, M.Ed.
Career Technical Education Specialist
Langley

Patty Page, M.Ed.
Superintendent, Coupeville School District.
Coupeville

Kate Grossman, M.A.
Research Manager, N.W. Institute for Children and Families, U. of W.
Clinton

Kristin Lasher, B.A. Political Science, B.A. Education; Retired community member, extensive related experience
Clinton

Kristina Saunsaucie, M.A.
Co-Director, South Whidbey Children’s Center
Freeland

Fran McCarthy, M.Ed.
Principal, Coupeville Elementary School
Coupeville

Paty Williams, A.A. Loyola Marymount
Community member, PTA, Site-based Council, Co-Chair School Bond Initiative
Freeland

Hillary Mellish, So. Whidbey High School Student in Advanced Placement Biology
Langley

Board Bylaws
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Minutes:
     February '08
     March '08
     April '08
     May '08
     June '08
     July '08
     August '08