Upcoming Events
SWACH is proud to host a variety of events across Southwest Washington, focused on improving health equity and promoting community well-being. From advocacy workshops and community gatherings to public health forums and healthcare policy events, these gatherings are designed to inspire collaboration and action. Whether you are a healthcare professional, community advocate, or resident looking to engage with local issues, our events offer meaningful opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Have an event you’d like to include on our site? Let us know!
SWACH Coffee Hour
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the SWACH office, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 311 W 11th St., Vancouver, WA 98660
SW Community Network: Health, Voice, and Policy
Join community partners, health workers, advocates, and legislators for a morning of connection, conversation, and collaboration. Hear directly from content experts on updates regarding HR1 and share your policy priorities with lawmakers.
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room (901 C St, Vancouver, WA 98660)
Details: Lunch will be provided.
Brought to you by the Community Voice & Equity Committee and powered by SWACH.
SWACH Coffee Hour at Seasons Coffee
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Seasons Coffee, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 115 N Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Common Principles and Practices Fundamentals (4-day, in-person training)
When: October 28th and 29th, November 4th and 5th. From 9am-4pm at SWACH (311 W 11th St., Vancouver, WA 98660)
Format: In-person, 4-day training. If a participant needs to miss a session, please contact asia.bakke@southwestach.org in advance.
Ideal for: CHWs, peer specialists, outreach workers, and anyone committed to equitable, community-centered work
This comprehensive training is designed for individuals working or aspiring to work as Community Health Workers (CHWs), peer professionals, or other frontline community-based roles. Participants will gain foundational knowledge and practical tools to serve their communities effectively and ethically, while fostering their own personal and professional growth.
The training uses a popular education approach, which emphasizes shared learning, active participation, and respect for the knowledge that each person brings. Rather than a lecture-based format, it creates a collaborative space where participants learn from one another through dialogue, storytelling, and hands-on activities, encouraging critical thinking and collective action.
Through this interactive and experiential model, participants will explore key concepts and practices including:
Community Health Worker and Peer Professions: Roles, responsibilities, and the growing importance of lived experience in health and social service systems.
Popular Education Principles: A participatory learning model that centers lived experience and community wisdom.
Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding trauma and how to promote safety, trust, and empowerment for clients and ourselves.
Social Determinants of Health: Identifying how factors like housing, income, education, and environment impact individual and community well-being.
Cross-Cultural Skills: Developing cultural humility and communication strategies to work effectively across diverse communities.
Community Engagement: Building authentic relationships and mobilizing community strengths for sustainable change.
Self-Care, Ethics, and Boundaries: Navigating the emotional demands of community work while maintaining personal well-being and professional integrity.
By the end of the training, participants will be better equipped to foster trust, promote health equity, and act as powerful agents of change within their communities.
SWACH Coffee Hour at Dev’s
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Dev’s, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 316 E Main St, Battle Ground, WA 98604
SWACH Coffee Hour at Goldendale Library
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the Goldendale Library, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 131 W Burgen St, Goldendale, WA 98620
Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED Training
Join us for an Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training designed to build the skills and confidence needed to respond in emergency situations. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses in both adults and children through hands-on practice and real-life scenarios.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive certification through the American Red Cross.
Class begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. Please plan to arrive early to allow time to get settled before the training begins.
CBW Supervisor Training
This full-day training is designed to equip supervisors with practical knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively support and lead Community Based Workers (CBWs). Participants will explore supervision approaches that recognize the unique strengths and experiences CBWs bring to their work, while building skills to provide supportive, reflective, situational, and trauma-informed supervision.
Throughout the training, participants will examine how trauma and indirect exposure to trauma can impact CBWs and learn strategies for creating a safe, supportive, and responsive supervisory environment. The training will also address documentation practices, confidentiality, and protection of client health information, with opportunities to discuss real-world successes and challenges with fellow supervisors.
Training Topics Include:
CBW Supervision Styles: Supportive, Reflective, and Situational Leadership
Trauma-Informed CHW Supervision
Documentation, Confidentiality, and Protection of Personal Health Information
SWACH Coffee Hour
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the SWACH office, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 311 W 11th St., Vancouver, WA 98660
Adult and Pediatric First-Aid/CPR and AED Training
Join us for an Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training designed to build the skills and confidence needed to respond in emergency situations. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses in both adults and children through hands-on practice and real-life scenarios. Upon successful completion, participants will receive certification through the American Red Cross.
SWACH Coffee Hour at Bigfoot Coffee Roasters
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Bigfoot Coffee Roasters, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 91 2nd St, Stevenson, WA 98648
SWACH Coffee Hour at Dad's Sourdough Bakery
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Dad's Sourdough Bakery, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Address: 604 S Columbus Ave, Goldendale, WA 98620
PRACC Virtual Meeting - May
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our virtual meeting on August 22. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
Management of Aggressive Behavior Training (Skyline)
REGISTER HERE
Join us for an all-day intensive training session on Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) with strategies for preventing and diffusing aggressive behavior. This course, designed for professionals across healthcare, law enforcement, security, and community services, will provide practical skills to manage conflict, address escalating behaviors, and enhance personal safety.
Key Topics Include:
- Understanding the stages of conflict: anxiety, emotional confrontation, and physical aggression.
- Techniques for non-verbal communication and maintaining personal space.
- Recognizing behavioral signals and responding effectively to prevent escalation.
- Personal defense strategies, including options for dealing with physical aggression and holds.
- Managing group dynamics and multiple individuals in high-stress situations.
Who Should Attend:
- This training is ideal for anyone in roles where managing or responding to aggressive behavior is critical, including community health workers, security personnel and healthcare providers
What You'll Gain:
- A deeper understanding of behavioral triggers and intervention strategies.
- Hands-on experience with personal defense and safety skills.
- Tools to confidently handle challenging situations while ensuring personal and team safety.
Management of Aggressive Behavior Training
REGISTER HERE
Join us for an all-day intensive training session on Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) with strategies for preventing and diffusing aggressive behavior. This course, designed for professionals across healthcare, law enforcement, security, and community services, will provide practical skills to manage conflict, address escalating behaviors, and enhance personal safety.
Key Topics Include:
- Understanding the stages of conflict: anxiety, emotional confrontation, and physical aggression.
- Techniques for non-verbal communication and maintaining personal space.
- Recognizing behavioral signals and responding effectively to prevent escalation.
- Personal defense strategies, including options for dealing with physical aggression and holds.
- Managing group dynamics and multiple individuals in high-stress situations.
Who Should Attend:
- This training is ideal for anyone in roles where managing or responding to aggressive behavior is critical, including community health workers, security personnel and healthcare providers
What You'll Gain:
- A deeper understanding of behavioral triggers and intervention strategies.
- Hands-on experience with personal defense and safety skills.
- Tools to confidently handle challenging situations while ensuring personal and team safety.
SWACH Coffee Hour
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the SWACH Office, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
PRACC Hybrid Meeting - April
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our hybrid meeting. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
Facilitation Skills Fundamentals
Strong facilitation skills help Community Health Workers create spaces where meaningful conversations, shared learning, and community-driven solutions can thrive. This interactive one-day workshop is designed to help participants strengthen the core skills needed to confidently facilitate meetings, workshops, and group discussions.
Participants will explore the role of the facilitator and practice the four fundamental facilitation skills: content neutrality, active listening, asking effective questions, and staying on track. Through hands-on activities, practice sessions, and group reflection, participants will build practical tools they can immediately apply in their work.
Participants will gain strategies for managing challenging group dynamics, creating psychological safety, and facilitating conversations on complex or sensitive topics, including race and other issues that may arise in community settings.
By the end of the workshop, Community Health Workers will leave with greater confidence in their facilitation abilities, practical techniques for guiding group discussions, and a plan for applying these skills in their own meetings and community work.
SWACH Coffee Hour at Caffe Piccolo
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Caffe Piccolo, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
PRACC Virtual Meeting - March
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our virtual meeting on August 22. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
SWACH Coffee Hour at Bigfoot Coffee Roasters
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Bigfoot Coffee Roasters, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Advanced Motivational Interviewing for Community Based Workers (2 days)
March 11th, 10 a.m - 4 p.m. and March 12th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This advanced training is designed for Community-Based Workers who have a foundational understanding of Motivational Interviewing and are ready to deepen their skills. The focus of this training is on effectively supporting individuals who feel unsure, ambivalent, or “stuck” when considering change, while remaining grounded in the core MI principles of partnership, respect, and compassion.
Participants will build confidence in using more advanced MI techniques, including asking purposeful questions, listening deeply, offering accurate reflections, and supporting individuals in expressing their own reasons for change. This training also emphasizes how to remain supportive without moving too quickly into advice-giving or problem-solving.
Through real-life scenarios, guided discussion, and hands-on practice, participants will learn how to:
Use deeper and more intentional listening skills
Support individuals in identifying their goals, values, and strengths
Respond calmly and effectively when someone feels resistant or unsure
Collaboratively develop simple, realistic action plans
Maintain a nonjudgmental, person-centered approach rooted in MI
This is a highly interactive training with ample opportunities to practice and receive feedback. By the end of the session, CBWs will feel more confident using advanced Motivational Interviewing skills to support meaningful, self-directed change.
Who should register?
This advanced Motivational Interviewing training is intended for participants who have previously completed an introductory MI training and have had opportunities to practice MI skills in real-world settings. The course builds on foundational concepts and focuses on strengthening and refining MI practice. If you are unsure whether this training is the right fit for you, please feel free to contact Asia at asia.bakke@southwestach.org with any questions before registering.
Motivational Interviewing for Community Based Workers (2 days)
CLASS FULL
March 9th, 10 a.m - 4 p.m. and March 10th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Join us for a two-day, in-depth training on Motivational Interviewing (MI) designed specifically for Community-Based Workers (CBWs). Held at the SWACH office, this interactive workshop will provide essential tools and strategies to support effective, person-centered conversations.
Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based, collaborative communication approach that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change. Rather than directing or advising, MI emphasizes empathy, partnership, and respect for autonomy, supporting individuals in identifying their own goals, values, and motivation.
This training is ideal for Community Health Workers, case managers, and other CBWs who work directly with individuals seeking support and guidance. Participants will learn practical MI techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing to strengthen engagement, build trust, and support meaningful, sustainable change.
PRACC Virtual Meeting - February
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our virtual meeting on August 22. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
SWACH Coffee Hour at Presso
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at Presso, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Recovery Advocacy Day 2026
Join Thrive2Survive and Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) for Recovery Advocacy Day at the Washington State Capitol. This annual event brings people together to uplift recovery voices, build community, and advocate for policies that support people impacted by substance use and behavioral health challenges.
Participants will gather at the Capitol in Olympia for a day of connection, storytelling, and advocacy focused on the message that recovery is possible for all.
Travel together
To support participation from Southwest Washington, a free charter bus will be available for attendees traveling from Vancouver to Olympia. Seats are limited so sign up today!
Registration
All attendees must register to receive event details and to reserve food, whether you plan to ride the charter bus or drive yourself.
Please note that separate registration is required for the event and for the bus.
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day 2026
We’re so excited to have you join us for Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day (HHAD) 2026!
Sign up below to reserve your spot and join us as we travel by charter bus to Olympia on Monday, January 26, 2026, to rally on the Capitol steps and meet with legislators in support of strong housing and homelessness policies.
Once you register here, our team will follow up with final details, including transportation, meeting schedules, and what to expect on the day of the event.
No need to register separately through WLIHA — we’ll submit the group registration once this signup closes.
Seats on the buses are limited, so save your spot today!
This group trip is proudly coordinated in partnership between Council for the Homeless, Odyssey World International, SW Washing Accountable Communities of Health (SWACH), and SW Washing Equity Coalition (SWEC).
SWACH Coffee Hour in Clark County - October
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the SWACH office, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!
Common Principles and Practices Fundamentals
PLEASE REGISTER IN FORM BELOW
When: October 28th and 29th, November 4th and 5th. From 9am-4pm at SWACH (311 W 11th St., Vancouver, WA 98660)
Format: In-person, 4-day training. If a participant needs to miss a session, please contact asia.bakke@southwestach.org in advance.
Interactive sessions | Group discussions | Reflective activities
Ideal for: CHWs, peer specialists, outreach workers, and anyone committed to equitable, community-centered work
This comprehensive training is designed for individuals working or aspiring to work as Community Health Workers (CHWs), peer professionals, or other frontline community-based roles. Participants will gain foundational knowledge and practical tools to serve their communities effectively and ethically, while fostering their own personal and professional growth.
The training uses a popular education approach, which emphasizes shared learning, active participation, and respect for the knowledge that each person brings. Rather than a lecture-based format, it creates a collaborative space where participants learn from one another through dialogue, storytelling, and hands-on activities—encouraging critical thinking and collective action.
Through this interactive and experiential model, participants will explore key concepts and practices including:
Community Health Worker and Peer Professions: Roles, responsibilities, and the growing importance of lived experience in health and social service systems.
Popular Education Principles: A participatory learning model that centers lived experience and community wisdom.
Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding trauma and how to promote safety, trust, and empowerment for clients and ourselves.
Social Determinants of Health: Identifying how factors like housing, income, education, and environment impact individual and community well-being.
Cross-Cultural Skills: Developing cultural humility and communication strategies to work effectively across diverse communities.
Community Engagement: Building authentic relationships and mobilizing community strengths for sustainable change.
Self-Care, Ethics, and Boundaries: Navigating the emotional demands of community work while maintaining personal well-being and professional integrity.
By the end of the training, participants will be better equipped to foster trust, promote health equity, and act as powerful agents of change within their communities.
PRACC Hybrid Meeting - October
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our hybrid meeting. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
Mobilize Recovery
Mobilize Recovery is bringing the Campus Surge 2025 initiative to Clark College as part of a nationwide effort to address the challenges of substance use and mental health among college students.
Attendees will be treated to an amazing musical performance by Skyler Ray & Kala Mulcahy!
This event, in partnership with Thrive2Survive and the Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH), aims to raise awareness, provide resources, empower students to become advocates for recovery within their communities, and actively promote recovery as a vital pathway to health and well-being.
The event will be held in the Student Center.
What To Expect:
Educational Workshops: Interactive sessions on addiction, recovery, and mental health led by experts and advocates for students and the public.
Empowerment Training: Leadership and advocacy training designed to equip students with tools to effect change.
Community Engagement: Expect music from Skyler Ray & Kala Mulcahy and a fun atmosphere, with networking to foster community connection and dialogue.
Life-Saving Resources: Distribution of overdose reversal agents and fentanyl test strips to reduce fatalities.
Enjoy free food provided for participants!
RSVP Today to Secure Your Spot!
*Contact Lexi if your organization is interested in a resource table for this event! LexiC@thrive2survivewa.org
PRACC Virtual Meeting - September
The Prevention and Recovery Alliance of Clark County (PRACC) invites you to our virtual meeting on August 22. PRACC brings together a wide range of community partners to combat the substance use crisis and values the voices of all, especially individuals with lived experience.
Learn More About PRACC: [Click here for details on PRACC's mission and initiatives].
Join the PRACC Meeting on Zoom: [Click here to access the Zoom meeting link].
SWACH Coffee Hour in Clark County - September
Join us for a SWACH Coffee Hour at the SWACH office, where meaningful conversations meet community connection! Join Heather Sheppard for an engaging discussion on policy and advocacy priorities that matter most to Southwest Washington. This is your chance to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to create equitable systems change. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cup of coffee with those working to improve our community for all!