CENTRAL OREGON WILDFIRE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP
About Central Oregon Wildfire Workforce Partnership
Applications for the Central Oregon Wildfire Workforce Partnership (COWWP) are currently closed through the spring season.
Due to capacity and scheduling, we are not accepting new applications at this time. We encourage interested parties to check back for updates in summer 2026.
The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and the Heart of Oregon Corps partnered in 2022 to form the Central Oregon Wildfire Workforce Partnership, or COWWP, under the Oregon Conservation Corps funding opportunity. Continued support has come from the Oregon Department of Forestry Small Forestland Grant and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant.
Young adult crews perform fuels reduction work on private and public property within Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook Counties. Work has been prioritized for underserved and low-income communities and has ranged from tree thinning, chipping, brush removal, and ladder fuels reduction in natural areas to create defensible spaces around homes, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure.
Through the COWWP program, youth receive certifications in Entry Level Wildland Firefighting in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry & the U.S. Forest Service. Other trainings include S212 chainsaw certifications, Home Ignition Zone trainings in partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Oregon State University Extension, and more. The COWWP program also trains and employs local youth and young adults in wildfire reduction and related skills. In addition to gaining on-the-job training, certifications, and knowledge in fire fuel reduction practices, youth in the program will receive wages, scholarships, additional workforce training in both soft and hard skills to prepare them to enter the professional workforce. Youth, young adult, and staff positions are available now and applications are at www.heartoforegon.org or at www.coic.org.
For project information or to discuss a potential fuels reduction project in your community, fill out the application below.
COWWP Crews at work
Crews work on a fuels reduction project in Jefferson County. Youth helped mitigate wild fire potential in a high risk area that is also an historic site.
It’s hard to find the right words which express the depth of gratitude I feel after receiving the COWWP Forest Fuels Reduction Grant. If there is one summary sentence it would be I feel confident that I can shelter in place on my property and survive a wildfire.
Project Examples
Before
After
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