Kids' HOPE Center Welcomes New Program Director

February 28, 2022

Kids’ HOPE Center Welcomes New Program Director

Bay Area Hospital is excited to announce the hiring of Ashley Brainard as the new Program Director for Kids’ HOPE Center. Ashley Brainard earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Ashley was born and raised in North Bend, Oregon, and has been serving her community for over eleven years.

Ashley started her career at Kairos NW in the Psychiatric Day Treatment classrooms working with youth ages 5-17 who had mental health diagnoses. Ashley then contracted with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Division through Kairos, providing on-site, in-the-moment parent sessions and skill-building. As Ashley finished her career at Kairos, she did Wraparound Facilitation using a strengths-based approach addressing the families and youth’s needs and assisting the families’ in navigating the mental health system and any other system that may be a barrier.

Ashley then transitioned her career to the ODHS Child Welfare Division as a Child Protective Services Worker. Using the Oregon Safety Model, she assessed allegations of abuse and neglect, created safety plans as needed, and worked with families to break down barriers to prevent a child(ren) removal from their home. She moved into leadership with ODHS as a Child Protective Services Supervisor, providing guidance and clinical supervision to the unit. As a leader, she was part of the Structured Decision-Making workgroup. This workgroup consisted of creating objective and structured assessment tools and decision-making guidelines for child welfare agencies that handle cases of child abuse and neglect.

Professional Highlights:

TIER II trained in Collaborative Problem Solving and has provided training to community partners and families.
Helped streamlined Karly’s Law (ORS 419B.022) procedures with the local Designated Medical Professional and Bay Area Hospital.
Presented at the Oregon Child Abuse Solutions 2021 Medical Academy regarding Caseworker Response to and process for Assisting Drug Endangerment to Children.
Facilitated parenting classes using the Nurturing Parent Program for families referred by the Oregon Department of Human Services at Southwestern Oregon Community College.

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Kids’ HOPE Center exists to reduce child abuse through community awareness, intervention, and to provide supports for healing and victim justice. Kids’ HOPE Center supports families and child abuse victims through the provision of an all-inclusive Center where forensic child interviews and medical examinations take place, and guardians and victims are offered support navigating through the challenging legal prosecution system. Intervention and advocacy services are provided to families through referrals and follow-ups with partnering community agencies, initiated by Kids’ HOPE Center staff. Kids’ HOPE Center is a division of Bay Area Hospital.