Relief nursery director outlines free services; city council encouraged to refer families

Evan Porter, executive director of Coastal Families Relief Nursery, gave a short overview of the nonprofit’s child-abuse-prevention model and services during the Aug. 6 Coos Bay City Council meeting.

Porter said the relief nursery offers therapeutic classrooms with high adult-to-child ratios, parent education and home visiting, and a "care closet" that supplies diapers and hygiene items to enrolled families. The program serves families based on stressor qualifications rather than strict income thresholds and is voluntary; Porter said it is 100% free for enrolled residents and currently serves 14 families with plans to hire an outreach worker to increase capacity to about 15.

Porter said the nursery receives just over $300,000 per year from the State of Oregon—about one-third of the program budget—with the remainder provided by grants and private donations. Council members asked about referral sources, staffing certification requirements and the potential for in-community satellite sites; Porter said referrals come from the early learning hub, word-of-mouth and self-referral, and that staff must meet elevated certification standards within the relief nursery network.

Porter invited councilors and staff to tour the facility and offered contact information for referrals. Council members thanked the organization and noted the program’s potential to prevent child welfare involvement.

Quote: "This program is 100% free for our residents," Evan Porter said. "We have a limited caseload due to staffing."

Next steps: Council acknowledged the program and encouraged outreach; staff and council may refer families and volunteers.