Central Oregon Safe Travel
(COST)
About Central Oregon Safe Travel (COST)
Program Overview
Central Oregon Safe Travel (COST) aims to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on our region’s transportation system. This program specifically focuses on implementing communications, outreach, and education strategies to encourage safe driving behaviors and develop a safety-first culture in Central Oregon. In working with partners across Central Oregon, we support the development of regionally aligned messaging and educational tools that can be adapted to fit each community’s unique needs.
COIC works in close partnership with local jurisdictions to implement education and outreach strategies identified in Transportation Safety Action Plans.
- City of Bend
- Crook County (Under Development)
- Deschutes County
- Jefferson County
Did You Know?
The proportion of traffic accidents that result in death or life altering injuries are on the rise in Oregon.
- Fatal and serious injury crashes rose 44% from 2014–2018 to 2019–2023, with notable increases involving speeding, impairment, distraction, unrestrained occupants, aging drivers, trucks, and intersections.
- In Deschutes County from 2018-2022, 55% of fatal crashes involved impaired driving.
- Between 2018 – 2022, inappropriate speeds caused 40% of crashes on rural roadways in Jefferson County, and motorcyclists and pedestrian involved crashes were 4x as likely to result in fatalities and/or serious injuries.
Program Goals
- Reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Central Oregon’s transportation network
- Convene Central Oregon Safe Travel Advisory Committee made up of Central Oregon safety practitioners in the fields of transportation planning, engineering, law enforcement, public health, and communications.
- Implement strategies identified in the 2025 Safe Driving Communications and Outreach Framework developed in partnership with Behavioral Insights Team. These strategies include:
- Event-based DUII Prevention
- Using employers as messengers to reduce distracted driving
- Change social norms through targeted marketing and communications
- Peer learning and support for bars & restaurants
- Partner with the Central Oregon Multi-Agency Traffic Team (MATT) to provide outreach and education support for their High Visibility Enforcement Efforts.
About the Multi-Agency Traffic Team (MATT)
The Central Oregon MATT is formally relaunching after a several year hiatus with a unified commitment: prevent fatal and serious-injury motor vehicle crashes on Deschutes County roadways through coordination education, engagement, and enforcement. All six Deschutes County law enforcement agencies—Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Black Butte Ranch Police Department, Sunriver Police Department, and the Oregon State Police Bend Area Command are a part of the MATT. Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) is partnering with the MATT to provide safe driving education and outreach.
Over the course of this year, the MATT will focus on reducing the “Fatal 5” listed to the right.
Safe Driving Resources
Contact Information
If you would like to get involved or learn more about COST, please contact Amy Nelson, CED Program Coordinator.
Contact us
Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
1250 NE Bear Creek Rd.
Bend, OR 97701
541-548-8163
education
COIC provides an alternative high school setting for students to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms, or to earn the GED. Students may also participate in the Youth Compass Program, a work-experience program that combines classroom credits with community service and natural resource projects.
Program Introduction
The COIC approach is based on individualized instruction for credit recovery or GED. Students, primarily aged 16-21, are referred by their local high schools to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms or leave the program with the GED. COIC is recognized as one of the most successful GED programs in Oregon, with 93 GED certificates awarded during the 2025-2026 school year alone. Students may also participate in work education through our Youth Compass Program.
Programs are held in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Prineville in conjunction with the school districts of Bend-La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Culver, and Crook County. COIC also provides instruction for Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice and the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
In addition, COIC offers summer work experience, giving students the opportunity to earn minimum wages and learn valuable hands-on work skills. During the school year, students earn high school diplomas, GEDs, and high school credits that transfer to their local high schools. Typically, our students spend more than 10,000 hours working on community service and natural resource projects.
Talk to your school counselor about attending COIC or call one of our classrooms today!
Youth Compass Program
Order Your GED Transcript/Diploma
Order a copy of your GED transcript and/or GED diploma (electronic or hard copies) online from GED.com. Select the Grads and Transcripts tab on the top banner and answer the questions to verify your specific testing record.
Statewide Testing Notices
English Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here
Spanish Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here
English ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here
Spanish ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here
Youth Education program Contacts
Bend Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436| Email here
For classroom information, contact:
Patrick Jordan, Lead Teacher
541-706-1458 | Email here
La Pine Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436 | Email here
For classroom information, contact:
Andrew Peter, Teacher
541-316-9039 | Email here
Redmond Classroom
For program information, contact:
Dustin Gurley, Lead Teacher
541-280-0031 | Email here
COIC Skills Lab
Deschutes County Juvenile Justice
Ami Stone, Teacher
541-322-7676 | Email here
Youth Education Program General Info:
Kris Schofield, Youth Education Manager
541-213-1998 | Email here
Youth Employment & Training Contacts
Bend Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jay Byers, Youth Employment Counselor
458-287-5575| Email here
La Pine Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Nick Huggins, Youth Employment & Training Coordinator
541-280-6495 | Email here
Jefferson County Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Redmond Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Prineville Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jeff Warren, Youth Employment Counselor
541-420-6787 | Email here
Joseph Beaton, Youth Employment Counselor
541-233-6782 | Email here
Youth Compass Program General Info:
Laurie Harrer, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
561-329-7873 | Email Here
Matt Mahoney, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here
Klamath County Youth Compass Program
General Info:
Sean Winters, Youth Employment Counselor
541-419-11812 | Email here
COIC Student Handbook 24-25 - Download