Youth Development

Polk County Prevention Program

Youth Development 

Drug, alcohol, and problem gambling prevention in Polk County is centered on giving local you positive activities and opportunities to help ensure that they are making healthy and safe choices. There is a concentrated effort to ensure that youth have a say in the programing that is offered each year, and that they are given opportunities to participate by eliminating barriers as much as possible.

High school

Internships & Job Readiness

Through the High School Internship program, students have the opportunity to work with local professionals in a variety of industries.

This program is run in a cohort model several times per year in partnership with local high schools.

Students who complete their internship receive a stipend and school credit for their time.

For more information about the student internship program, call 503-751-1644

Youth 

Mini-Grants

Each year, Polk County Prevention releases a grant application for youth serving organizations to apply for funding to support programming in our community. The applications are scored by local youth who make the final determinations on what projects to fund.

Picture Your Future

Youth Career Exploration Conference

Each year, Juniors from all local high schools are invited to a one day career exploration conference at Western Oregon University. During the conference, students have the opportunity to hear from local professionals about a variety of career and educational tracks. Students also get the opportunity for hands on learning in some of the most requested fields.

Career tracks have included:

  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Hospitality
  • Criminal Justice
  • Athletics
  • Military
  • More!