About EOCF
Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) has grown to become the leading provider of comprehensive early childhood education and family support programs in Southwest Washington.
Our mission is to connect, empower, and transform the lives of children and families.
Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) continues to be the leading provider of comprehensive early childhood education and family support programs in Southwest Washington since our start in 1967.
As one of the largest social service organizations in Southwest Washington, EOCF is the second largest social service nonprofit organization in Clark County with an annual operating budget of more than $15 million and 275 employees. EOCF’s service areas include Clark County, Long Beach in Pacific County, and the Woodland portion of Cowlitz County.
Our Values
Alignment With Families
EOCF provides multi-generational supports and connections to resources to help close disparity gaps for children and families furthest from opportunity. From essential daily nutrition to housing, education and employment, we don’t just suggest resources to utilize; EOCF staff work collaboratively with families ensuring all needs are met.
Belief in Children
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. Our ultimate goal is to prepare children for kindergarten and empower families, collaborating with parents and local resources in order to provide an educational experience that is second to none. EOCF provides preschool programs and family services that promote high-quality and developmentally appropriate best practices, focusing on the whole child.
Community Transformation
Our programs for children birth through 5 years old support language skills, social skills and prepare children to move from infant to toddler to preschooler with caring and guided instruction from EOCF staff. We know that building strong families is the key to transforming community. That’s why we offer a range of free programs designed to empower our local families.
EOCF serves more than 1,350 children and families furthest from opportunity annually in our federal and state early learning programs. Another 2,000 children are served in the HotShots Youth Sports program for children grades 1-6.
Our History
For over 50 years, EOCF has been a leader in providing assistance to children and families across Southwest Washington. Here are some highlights.
1967
EOC is Founded
Incorporated in 1967 as the Economic Opportunity Committee (EOC) of Clark County, a community action program agency to administer War on Poverty programs.
Early 1970s
A New Focus
EOC’s Board of Directors elect to focus exclusively on serving low-income children and families though “Head Start”, the federal government’s preschool education program.
1980s
Adding Programs
EOC adds the Washington State funded “Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).
1990s
Expanding Our Reach
EOC expands its Head Start program to serve Pacific County as well as opens new Head Start centers in Clark County and Woodland. Full-day Head Start programs begin.
In addition, EOC becomes the administrator of the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (EIST) program and adds Early Head Start program.
2003
A New Name & HotShots Sponsorship
EOC changes its name to Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) and assumes sponsorship of the HotShots Youth Sports program.
2000-2010
Funding Decreases
EOCF faces significant funding decreases and service expansion slowdowns.
2013
Introducing a New Look
EOCF introduces a new logo and tagline: “Connect, Empower, Transform”.
2014
New Centers
EOCF opens two new centers in Clark County on MacArthur Blvd. and Highway 99 in Hazel Dell.
2015 - 2016
Partnership with Evergreen PS
EOCF celebrates it’s 25-year partnership with Evergreen Public Schools offering co-taught classrooms.
2018
Further Expansion and Bright Future
EOCF opens Starcrest and McGillvary centers in Vancouver and hires Executive Director Rekah Strong.
2019
Parent University Introduced
EOCF increases multi-generational supports with Parent University program.
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