Tuesday, April 23, 2024
4/23/2024
Community Overview The La Center United coalition was founded in 2013, and its defined community is the La Center School District boundary. La Center, Washington is a quaint little town, nestled along the East Fork of the Lewis River near the foothills of the majestic Cascade Mountain Range. In the 1870s, La Center was a business center and head of navigation on said river. In late summer, the regular schedules of the steamers paddle-wheeling to Portland were often interrupted by low water. Passengers and freight were transferred to scows, which were poled up the river or towed by horses along the bank. As a result, La Center was officially incorporated on August 27, 1909. Eventually, bypassed by the railroads and highways, La Center degenerated into a small village of several hundred people and a struggling school district serving the surrounding farming community. Modern day La Center still struggles to define itself. It has just over 3,200 inhabitants and is now considered a bedroom community to Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Adjacent to Interstate 5, about 30 minutes north of Portland, the small town and its rural lifestyle is appealing to many commuters due to its scenic surroundings, and its easy access to hiking trails, camping, and water sports. The hub of the community is the La Center School District, which provides entertainment through sports and limited after school activities and/or community education classes. Although the city still “serves” the surrounding agricultural district, resources are limited. The commuting element of a bedroom community finds many of our youth fending for themselves during the after-school hours. This paired with limited resources for entertainment and employment leave many of the youth in our community in situations that could be considered risk factors, as they question their value to our community and whether they play any significant role. La Center United defines its community as the La Center School District which serves over 8,000 residents. Approximately 36% of the population in the La Center School District is located within the city of La Center. The total school district population is comprised of 1,607 students, the large majority of which come from outlying rural acreage. The La Center community is comprised of 91% Caucasian, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, 1.9% Asian, 1% African American, 0.8% Native American, and 1.5% other. Persons 19 years or younger make up 25% of the population. 20% of high school students self-identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning, according to the 2018 Washington Healthy Youth Survey. The population density is 215.98 people/square mile. In 2018, La Center School District’s per capita income was $33,206, which is 4% above the national average. 30% of the students in the school district receive a free or reduced lunch. Washington State recently privatized liquor stores, allowing beer, wine, and spirits to be sold in convenience or grocery stores, increasing access to alcohol and exposure to retail advertisements. In 2013, marijuana was legalized for adults, ages 21 and older. Youth now have greater social access to marijuana, accompanied by a decline in the perception of harm associated with the substance. Underage alcohol use has long been acceptable within the community and marijuana use is becoming more normalized under legalization.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
