Foundation hires child and family specialist as new program officer
February 10, 2016: The Ford Family Foundation announced today that it has hired Robin Hill-Dunbar, a specialist in young children’s development and well-being, to be a program officer for Children, Youth and Families, a new position at the Foundation.
Robin Hill-DunbarHill-Dunbar comes to the Foundation from the Maternal Child Health Section of the Oregon Health Authority/Public Health Division, where she was the workforce development coordinator. While there, she created a comprehensive workforce development plan for Oregon’s home visiting field.
Her extensive background includes working as an education specialist for the Clackamas Education Service District, a services manager at the Oregon Child Care Resource and Referral Network, a trainer and consultant in the early childhood field, and as a parenting educator.
“Robin combines deep knowledge in early childhood with a strong familiarity with the state and related policy issues,” said Christy Cox, senior program officer for Children, Youth and Families for The Ford Family Foundation. “Her experience in home visiting, early learning and public health will help us in our work to ensure families and communities receive the support they need to thrive.”
As a program officer, Hill-Dunbar will be part of a close-knit team working to shape and execute the Foundation’s strategies to support strong families and healthy children. She will help implement strategies to improve kindergarten readiness, reduce the rate of child abuse and neglect, and provide access to health and dental services for underserved children. She will begin work at the Foundation in mid March.
“Robin’s familiarity with rural Oregon and community-based efforts to improve outcomes for children make her a great fit for the Foundation,” said Anne Kubisch, president of The Ford Family Foundation.
Hill-Dunbar’s volunteer activities have included Parenting Now, Lane County; the Transfer Opportunity Program at Umpqua Community College; Women Space, a domestic violence advocacy center; and Girl Scouts in Winston, Oregon.
Hill-Dunbar is a master’s degree candidate in Early Childhood at Portland State University. She has a graduate certificate in infant-toddler mental health from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon. She received an associate’s degree from Umpqua Community College. She is a Ford Family Foundation Opportunity Scholarship alumna.
