Kelli Hawkins | Spokane Regional Health District | khawkins@srhd.org | 509.324.1539, c 509.994.8968

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is excited to join the HOPE Innovation Network, a program of the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center. The HOPE Innovation Network (HIN) is a group of organizations from across the country who are chosen through a competitive application process to implement the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework.

The HOPE framework is based on brain science and behavioral research showing that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) improve lifelong mental health, even if a child has experienced trauma. This is especially important as we face a youth mental health crisis after the pandemic. As a member of the 2023 HIN cycle, SRHD will be among the first-ever HOPE-certified organizations, a new certification issued by the HOPE National Resource Center at Tufts.

Rumyana Kudeva, SRHD health program specialist, said, “We know that focusing on family strengths and resiliency using the HOPE framework increases access to positive childhood experiences and makes a real difference in the lives of children and families.”

SRHD continually works to support healthier communities in Spokane County, offering much-needed services to children and families. Those services include early intervention services for infants and toddlers, nutrition programs, a home-visiting program, and opioid treatment services. The HOPE framework is one way that SRHD uses evidence-based and research-based approaches so that families get the best services possible.

“Becoming a HOPE-certified organization is a way of showing our commitment to the communities of Spokane County and to the lifelong health of families and children who live here,” said Kudeva. “We are excited to join HIN to support the children, youth, and families throughout our community using the research behind the HOPE framework and promoting positive childhood experiences.”