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Three Family Events in One!

When young children have opportunities to investigate the world around them, they try out new skills and ideas sparking curiosity and learning. Research shows a positive relationship between early Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics (STEAM) and future success in school, which is why The Children’s Museum of Skagit County is offering a FREE event for our community!

From 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday, Nov. 8, Full STEAM Ahead will have activities for children & youth led by coding, robotics, nature, and reading experts in an exciting weekend event. A Community Baby Shower, hosted by the local Doula network, will provide resources & supports for pregnant people, and the Help Me Grow Skagit Resource Fair will have information about basic needs, nutrition, development, and other supports for health and wellbeing along a fun mini-golf course! 

 Learn more about Full STEAM ahead here and check out the Facebook Event here

WIC Works for Foster Families

Did you know that foster & family placement infants and children under the age of 5, as well as foster teens who are pregnant, are eligible for WIC? 

The child's eligibility is based on their foster status, not the income of the caregiving family. A foster parent, legal guardian, or caregiver can apply on behalf of the child. Our United General WIC staff are happy to help applicants walk through the process and most communication can be completed over the phone.

Our website has an online interest form or call us for a screening at (360) 854-0435.

There is a significant need for more foster homes in the Skagit Valley area. The Skagit Kid Insider Foster Care Guide has resources for current foster parents, as well as an overview of how to begin the foster care licensing process. 

Telling the Prevention Story

October is a time to lift up the national conversation and showcase prevention’s many positive effects. Our community Coalitions in Burlington, Concrete, and Sedro-Woolley, as well as many of our Youth in Action and Family Programs, help to:

• Prevent substance use in the first place, as well as preventing progression of use (to a disorder) and consequences associated with use, like fatal overdose.
• Strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors in individuals, families, schools, communities, and society.
• Get ahead of substance use and mental health challenges — so that youth, families, and communities can thrive.

For more than 25 years, we’ve championed prevention as your public hospital district.

Learn more about our programs here. 

Prevention science,with decades of research and community-based experience, shows that prevention works. Excellence in Prevention tools like the ones below help inform and guide our efforts:

• Prevention Tools: What Works, What Doesn't from the WA Health Care Authority
• ENGAGE: Evidence Based Strategies to Prevent Youth Substance Use from the CDC.

Your Choices Matter

Nearly half of people misusing pain relievers, including prescription opioids, get them from a friend or family member. By removing unneeded medications from your home, you can reduce the risk of intentional misuse and accidental poisoning.

There are lots of year-round options for safe disposal! MedTakeBackWashington.org makes it easy to find disposal kiosks near you or order FREE mail-back envelopes for your unused and expired medicines.

Protect your loved ones by safely disposing of medications as soon as they are no longer needed.

Cider Press Success!

A bit of rain didn’t stop the fun on Saturday, Oct. 11 as our Sedro-Woolley Farm to School team welcomed students, parents, and supporters with freshly pressed apple cider at the new Cascade Middle School Garden.

The Friendraiser event allowed people to experience the new space and learn about the vision for the future of Farm to School. Expanding beyond elementary school gardens provides a chance to reach all students with garden education and increases the availability of local food for the cafeteria through the co-located central kitchen - a win-win that can happen through community support.



Learn more, volunteer, or donate to Sedro-Woolley Farm to School on our website 

Taste Washington Day

Every year in October, schools spotlight farm-to-school connections and serve meals featuring local foods. Students learn about the producers who grow, harvest, catch, and make local foods and the importance of agriculture in their community and across Washington.

On Oct. 8, Concrete School District served up local delights for Taste WA Day in addition to hosting USDA representatives for their SCALES grant. Concrete is one of only three Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems (SCALES) grants awarded in WA, and the Teaching and Feeding Students with Local, Seasonal Agriculture project enhances the larger goals of Concrete Farm to School! 

Taste WA Recipes you can make at home:

• Veggie Fried Rice
• A light and crunchy Cabbage Salad

Pictured above, Healthy Eating Supervisor, Rachel Muia (in blue), with Concrete Food Service staff at a SCALES in-service training last August.

Volunteer With Us!

Tuesday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day, and Concrete Farm to School is hosting a service opportunity from 10 am – 1:30 pm. Help out in the garden or the kitchen classroom and enjoy a bowl of soup as a thank you for your time!

Email Rachel.Muia@UnitedGeneral.org for more info and to sign up.

Show Your Support for Cycling 

Through day-to-day advocacy, education, and partnerships, Skagit Valley Bicycle Coalition seeks to create safer streets and more livable communities for bicyclists and pedestrians in Skagit County.

Skagit Valley Bicycle Coalition, a recently added program of United General District 304, is establishing and nurturing bicycle culture & safety, and expanding amenities to increase cycling in our community. The purchase of a cool T-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, or other branded item provides funding for Skagit Valley Bicycle Coalition to offer their mechanic pop-up tent, bicycle donations, and bike valet services at events in Skagit. Visit their website and online shop here.

Salmonberry Learning Center Open House

We welcomed over 85 attendees to our ribbon cutting and resource fair last week, officially opening a space dedicated to lifelong learning! United General District 304 Commissioner Board Chair, Greg Thramer, and community members Ngọc Châu Nguyen Truong and Cathy Smith provided inspiring remarks on the importance of education and prevention as a means for improving personal health, building community wellbeing, and positively impacting future generations.

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up to celebrate with us! And if you weren’t able to attend, we hope you’ll join us soon for an upcoming class, program, or event.

Did you know you can use your Fred Meyer card to help make our programs possible? Through Fred Meyer Community Rewards, you can link your card to United General District 304. Link your card in person on your next visit, or click here to do it online. Funds support classes, trainings, and programs in our community at no cost to you!

Thank you!