Mission:  Building Healthy Families strengthens families through proven family education and support programs and helps create family environments that assure children's school readiness, success, and life skills.

Vision:  All Northeast Oregon families have the skills to nurture healthy, productive children.

Tagline:  Strengthening families through education and support

1999, the Wallowa County Commission on Children and Families (CCF) led a community planning process for services to children and families. The need for parent education was identified as a significantly missing service in the community. A part-time parent education program coordinator position was funded through CCF and Oregon Community Safety Net (Department of Human Services). The Wallowa County Education Service District provided fiscal management.

2002, The Ford Family Foundation posted a request for proposals under their Enhancing the Skills of Parents (ESPP) initiative. The working group in Wallowa responded and received funding to further develop parent education programs. In addition to the financial award, The Ford Family Foundation provided excellent technical assistance, education and networking opportunities to recipients. With the additional staff time, a grant was written to Oregon Community Foundation to fundIncredible Years parent training and successful proposals were submitted to the CCF for continued funding.

2002, the CCF rolled out the final phase of Healthy Start and BHF was awarded the contract for those services. A Healthy Start Family Support Worker was hired and the BHF advisory board was formed. Currently, BHF manages the Healthy Start/Healthy Families program in Wallowa and Baker Counties.

2003-2004, the advantages of becoming a non-profit organization became apparent; application for 501 (c) (3) status was made to the Internal Revenue Service and a letter of tax-exemption acquired.

2005, BHF was awarded a second Ford Family Foundation four year, ESPP II grant. The four year ESPPII grant and our long term relationship with OCF was a catalyst for the expansion and diversification of BHF’s funding and service to Wallowa County and Northeast Oregon. Criteria for BHF Programs Embed parent, family education and support services Collaborative (public/private) Strength-based – Evidence-based – Common outcomes Shared Measurement Systems (Parent Skills Ladder) Resilience – Relationships