Washington County COVID-19 Community Engagement Newsletter |
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Omicron is changing the rules |
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Omicron is much more contagious than previous COVID variants---and it's changing the rules of the pandemic.
Vaccines and boosters are still the best protection against being hospitalized or getting very sick with Omicron, but the virus is moving so fast--even among vaccinated people--that there aren't enough tests to meet the demand.
If you are sick, but cannot access a test, isolate at home for five days to reduce the chances that you will spread the virus and wear your mask for another five days--this applies regardless of your vaccination status.
If you are exposed to COVID and have received your booster, you don't have to stay home, but you must wear a mask for 10 days.
If you are eligible for a booster, but haven't received it, you must quarantine at home for five days, and continue to wear a mask for another five days. If you're still looking for a vaccine or booster, see: www.co.washington.or.us/vaccine.
Still have questions? Want to report your positive at-home test? Or need resources and information about isolation and quarantine? Visit OHA's new website or call 866-917-8881 for help.
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Order your FREE at-home test kit now |
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You can now order four free rapid COVID tests per household at covidtests.gov. The tests will ship in 7 to 12 days, so order before you need the tests. You can also find at-home tests at some pharmacies and online for about $25 for two tests. Insurance companies must reimburse you, but you will need to file the paperwork so keep your receipts. The ordering site is available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. People who speak another language or who don't have computer access can get help ordering tests from Washington County Covid HelpLine at 1-833-907-3520. See our testing page for other testing options.
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Children ages 12-15 can now get a Pfizer booster |
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With Omicron, getting a COVID booster shot is more important than ever. Children ages 12-15 can now get a Pfizer booster at least five months after their second dose. Immunocompromised children ages 5-11 can also receive a third primary series dose of the Pfizer vaccine. To learn more, see this fact sheet from Oregon Health Authority.
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Order printed COVID-19 Spanish posters |
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Almost two years since our first case and COVID-19 is still impacting our county and the world. Washington County Hispanic/Latina/o/x community members age 18 and older have the lowest vaccination rate, 64.4% have received their initial series and 25.7% received their booster. We continue communicating the importance of vaccination to prevent severe illness and death.
We created a series of images/posters in Spanish with key COVID-19 messages and they are available to you. We suggest to:
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Share electronically on social networks or WhatsApp.
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Include in your public health or COVID-19 communications or internet pages.
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Download to print in poster size 11x17 or letter 11x8.5
- Hang up on business or office doors, windows, counters, etc.
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Submit your order to receive one or some of them printed: https://bit.ly/OrdenPosterCOVID-19
With your help we can continue to reach communities that need this information.
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American Rescue Plan Act Latest |
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Board of Commissioners Approves House America Proclamation |
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Commitment to Affordable Housing
The Washington County Board of Commissioners joined the House America initiative during their meeting on January 4, 2022. Washington County is the first jurisdiction in Oregon to commit to this initiative. Read the full media release here.
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The American Rescue Plan provides communities with significant new resources to address homelessness, including 70,000 emergency housing vouchers and $5 billion in grants through the HOME Investment Partnerships program; and $350 billion in State and Local Recovery Funds through the Department of the Treasury.
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Terrace Glen largest affordable housing project in Wash Co. |
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On Thursday, January 13, 2022, elected officials and leaders from state and local government joined affordable housing developer, Related Northwest, to mark the commencement of construction of Terrace Glen Apartments in Tigard. The 144-unit complex will be affordable and an intergenerational development for low and very low-income families and seniors located in the Metzger neighborhood near Washington Square Mall. |
The development will be comprised of two, 4-story buildings formed around an inner courtyard with a communal area with playground and barbeque area. The buildings will consist of studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom units. Rents will range from $483‐$1,408 per month. Read more about this project here.
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Photo credit: Andie Petkus |
Thanks to the Regional Affordable Housing Bond Program, Washington County has 812 affordable homes either open, breaking ground or soon to break ground, or currently under construction. |
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MSTIP Online Survey - What's important to you? |
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County winter weather response |
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During the last week of December and into early January of the new year, Washington County saw a long stretch of low temperatures, and several inches of snow. |
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Staff from Emergency Management, Land Use and Transportation, Housing Services, and County Administrative Office (CAO) worked together to make sure everyone in Washington County stayed safe by opening severe weather shelters, plowing, and sanding roads, and sending out information about what to expect and where to find help. |
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The County also communicated with 211, WCCCA 911-dispatch, and city emergency managers to make sure knowledge of the shelters and other available resources was widely available for the public. Information was posted on social media, the County website, through press releases and on a publicly available map. |
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The Supportive Housing division of Housing services worked with Just Compassion and Project Homeless Connect to open two severe weather shelters which provided safe places to sleep. These two shelters ran from December 26th to January 3rd and provided shelter to 115 individuals. Transportation was also provided to these shelters. |
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Solid Waste and Recycling App |
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Never miss your garbage or recycling day! |
Get fast and helpful information with the Garbage and Recycling Day app and online tool. Download the app on Google Play or the App Store.
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Libraries for All
The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) website is now available in more languages! Read it in Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Persian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese.
Just scroll to the footer and select your preferred language from the dropdown menu. Visit wccls.org for access to many library services! #LibrariesAreForEveryone |
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Westside Pitch is a startup competition for Washington County entrepreneurs seeking to showcase their early-stage businesses.
- First place $5,000
- Second place $2,500
Apply here. Early-stage business ventures that currently operate or plan to operate in Washington County, as well as people living in Washington County, are eligible to compete. Selected businesses will have developed or be in the process of developing a unique, scalable product or service that solves a major industry problem. For more details click here.
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Utility Assistance and Energy Conservation - Community Action |
If community members are experiencing financial difficulty, Community Action can make a payment directly for them. For more information, please visit Community Action's utility assistance page. If repair is needed to improve energy efficiency, weatherization assistance is available. For more information, visit this page. Or, call (503) 615-0771, Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. |
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Help with Past-Due Balances at NW Natural Gas |
Oregon Arrearage Management Program (AMP): Oregon NW Natural Gas customers in need may be able to receive assistance through several grant options available to help with a past-due balance. This new program provides instant grants of up to $300 and more options for larger balances. A grant can be used to help offset the cost of a payment plan or to pay off a past-due account balance. Click here https://www.nwnatural.com/account/payment-assistance or call Customer Service at
800-422-4012.
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Portland General Electric encourages all customers to call and ask for information on payment plans, fee waivers, and other assistance. The phone numbers are 503-228-6322 (for Portland), 503-399-7717 (for Salem), or call toll-free at 800-542-8818. |
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When are Inclement Weather Shelters Activated? |
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Inclement Weather Shelters are activated when weather conditions create an immediate danger for unhoused people.
Inclement weather shelters "pop-up" through the weather event and operate on a "no-turn-away" basis to ensure everyone seeking a safe place to sleep can have access.
When forecasted extreme weather conditions are present, this website will be updated, and communications will be broadcast with the public and emergency service systems to ensure people know how to access inclement weather shelter sites. For additional information about either program, please contact shsinfo@co.washington.or.us. |
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For clients who are houseless and looking for temporary shelter in their community, this site lists all available shelters in the area: www.shelterlistings.org
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Funding for CBOs supporting Older Adults and People with Disabilities |
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Oregon Department of Human Services will be inviting funding requests for community projects supporting older adults and people with disabilities. Of the $3 million available, at least $2 million will be designated for equity-related proposals serving Oregonians who have experienced barriers in accessing services and supports. To learn more, please see the press release
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Home Access Repair for the Disabled and Elderly (HARDE)
Offers grants to pay for urgent repairs and accessibility improvements for Washington County residents who are disabled or elderly and have assets lower than $15,000 and low income. Eligible repairs include repair or replacement of failed heating, plumbing, roofing, or electrical systems, and accessibility improvements such as grab bars, accessible bathrooms, and ramps. For more information, visit the Washington County Community Development webpage or contact Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator.
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Wood Stove Exchange
Older and uncertified wood stoves and inserts are inefficient, dirty and pollute the air inside your home and around your neighborhood. If you currently use one of these old stoves to stay warm in the winter, Washington County offers rebates of $1,500-$3,500 for a new stove, insert, or other heating system or offer free replacement for households that meet income criteria. For more information, visit this page.
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Domestic Violence Resource Center 24hr Crisis Line |
Click here https://www.dvrc-or.org/ or call the 24hr Crisis Line at: 503-469-8620. If the survivor experiencing domestic violence has a minor child in their care, they may be able to apply for the Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors grant through ODHS (Oregon Department of Human Services), which may be able to help them flee, if eligible. To apply for this assistance, the survivor needs to contact their local ODHS Self Sufficiency office and request Domestic Violence services. Click here for information: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/abuse/domestic/pages/tadvs.aspx or call: Tigard – 503-670-9711 – 10777 SW Cascade Ave, Tigard, OR 97223
Beaverton – 503-646-9952 – 15425 NW Greenbrier Pkwy, Beaverton, OR 97006
Hillsboro – 503-693-4555 – 5300 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124
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Mental Health and Addiction Services in Washington County |
Services may be accessed by calling the Washington County Member Services Line at
503-291-1155.
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Access to Healthcare Services
Project Access NOW has a mission to improve the health of our community by creating access to care and services for those most in need. They support comprehensive solutions adapted to meet the changing needs of our community. As they continue their core work of connecting low-income uninsured people to donated healthcare services, their focus has expanded to include innovative initiatives and partnerships that go beyond simple healthcare and address the social determinants of health. For more information click https://www.projectaccessnow.org/programs.
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This monthly newsletter is designed for community-based organizations to share COVID-19 related information and resources specific to Washington County. Please email us if you have:
- Information or resources you would like to include in this newsletter
- Question about resources needed in the community not included in this newsletter
- Opportunities or ideas you’d like to collaborate with another CBO on (e.g. Media campaign or events)
- Successful outreach events or stories you would like to share with other CBOs
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