Washington County COVID-19 Community Engagement Newsletter
November 18, 2021
Kids Can Now Get Their COVID-19 Vaccine
Children like 11-year old Olivia are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Olivia says she will feel more comfortable going to school when she is fully vaccinated. Her mom, Carolina, says she is relieved that her whole family will now be protected. Olivia and her mom were first in line at a Washington County mobile vaccine event. This vaccine is also available through health care providers, pharmacies and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. For the first few weeks in November, demand for the vaccine will outstrip supply, so please be patient. Supply is limited at our mobile clinics. See our vaccine page to find out how you can get the vaccine. www.co.washington.or.us/vaccine.
The vaccine for kids is one-third the dose of the adult vaccine and comes in a different vial with an orange color. It's OK to ask questions about the vaccine and to make sure you have all the information about safety and effectiveness. You can find answers in this Oregon Health Authority Q and A. To see this information in other languages see the OHA website and click on the globe graphic at the right of the document you want to view.
You may qualify for a booster
Booster shots have now been approved for people who received all three COVID-19 vaccines. Only certain groups qualify for a Moderna or Pfizer booster, but everyone who got the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine qualifies for a booster. Read the graphic to find out if you qualify or look at the booster information on our vaccine page: www.co.washington.or.us/vaccine .
Celebrate Holidays Safely
We can celebrate holidays safely this winter if we follow safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Transmission of the virus is still high in Washington County, hospitals are nearly full and they have limited staff. You can help to keep schools open and keep your friends and family safe with these tips:

  • Host events outside if possible
  • Ask all guests to be fully vaccinated
  • Remind everyone to stay home if they are sick, waiting for test results or have been around someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
  • If your event is inside ask everyone to wear a mask whether or not they are vaccinated and open windows to increase airflow.


Download in other languages:



COVID-19 Testing Sites
If you or anyone you know is looking for COVID-testing, please visit this webpage to view the list of testing locations.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
New Mapping Tool
Washington County renters in need of rental assistance are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

On Sept. 21, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the extension of the 60-day tenant protection in Senate Bill 278 to a 90-day period.

To help understand jurisdictional boundaries, use this mapping tool bit.ly/3aTeFbc to confirm eligibility for the 90-day extension.

To learn more on how to apply for emergency rent assistance, follow this link or visit the Community Action webpage to receive assistance on submitting an application.
Affordable Housing Projects Welcome Families Home
'I still didn't believe it until I got the keys' 
Affordable housing construction projects are making a big impact in several communities, including Washington County. A single mother's journey to affordable housing is thanks in part to the 2018 voter-approved Metro housing bond. Watch this report by KGW.




Learn about the affordable housing projects across Washington County like 'The Marry Ann' apartment complex in Beaverton specifically housing low-income families (report by Pamplin Media) and the 'Viewfinder' in Tigard getting ready to welcome people home this year.
Photo: Viewfinder Apartments
Serving Veterans with Affordable Housing
Washington County announces housing set aside for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness in The Viewfinder apartment complex, partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide services. Housing programs for veterans are part of a county-wide strategy to address the housing crisis and include 197 housing vouchers set aside for veterans. Details here.
Regional Housing Presentations to Board of County Commissioners
American Rescue Plan Act Latest
Cross-jurisdictional Collaboration
On October 22, 2021, the Washington County Board of Commissioners hosted an informational gathering on the American Rescue Plan Act for local leaders serving Washington County.

The virtual meeting included a brief staff presentation about the county’s framework for ongoing pandemic response and recovery investment areas as well as current ongoing efforts for cross-jurisdictional collaboration. 
What's next?
Investment areas include protecting public health and community wellness, continued operations, economic recovery and community engagement. Washington County staff members are working collaboratively to bring forth strategic communication and community engagement action plan to best support the Board-approved ARPA tranche one investment areas. Read more about Washington County's American Rescue Plan Act framework.


“As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic health needs and despite ongoing uncertainty to protect our communities, the American Rescue Plan for Washington County is an opportunity to recover from the pandemic better than before.” -- Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrington.

Stay up to date about our investment areas for Washington County by bookmarking www.co.washington.or.us/recovery.
Save the date!
Board of Commissioners hosting Town Hall Dec 2 at 6 PM.

This virtual event will focus on the budget process and efforts to center equity in the provision of County services.

Keep an eye out for an invite or follow us on our social media channels for an rsvp.
Twitter: @WashcoOregon
New Alert System!
Have you signed up?
Washington County has a new public alert system! Everbridge will allow individuals who sign up to be alerted and receive critical information quickly during emergencies like severe weather, critical utility outages like boil water notices, missing persons, evacuations and other public safety situations.

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season
As we enter the holiday season, Emergency Management offers tips if you plan on traveling on the road or celebrating at home.

  • Stock your vehicle with tools like an ice scraper, small shovel, gloves, blanket, tire chains, first aid kit, and charging pack/cable for your phone.
  • To learn more about ice and snow impacts, like dangerous roadways, delayed or canceled public transportation, and carbon monoxide poisoning, visit Public Alerts. You can also check tripcheck.com and wc-roads.com for up-to-date road conditions before you travel. 
Cooking Safely
Home fires due to cooking increase drastically during the holiday season. Find holiday safety tips from Red Cross regions across America here.

  • Don’t leave your cooking unattended. 
  • Move things that can burn easily, like dishtowels, bags, boxes, and curtains away from the stove 
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them. 
  • Wear short sleeves or roll your sleeves up so they don’t catch fire while cooking. 
Bookmark these Emergency Preparedness Resources:
Prevent Package Thefts
As we enter the holiday shopping season, there is a notable rise in online orders and deliveries. Packages left on doorsteps make for easy targets enticing would-be thieves.

Detectives work proactively throughout the year to combat the problem and deter package thefts. Working closely with the United States Postal Inspection Service, detectives set decoy packages equipped with electronic tracking devices that allow deputies to trace and catch the thieves in action. This Bait Package Program has notably decreased theft in our community over the last seven years since its inception.
Washington County Sheriff's Office shares
5 Tips to protect your packages!
  1. Bring packages in immediately upon delivery; never leave them unattended. 
  2. Schedule deliveries when someone is home.  
  3. Use an alternative safe delivery location, Amazon Locker, Fed Ex Location, Post Office, etc. 
  4. Have a trusted friend or family member receive the package. 
  5. Install a security camera. 
Washington County Employment Opportunities
New employment opportunities with Washington County as of November 2021.

Close Date 11/21/2021

  • Economic Development Program Coordinator
  • Workforce Development Sr Program Coordinator
  • Developmental Disabilities Abuse Investigator
  • Probation and Parole Services Manager
  • Engineering Technician III
  • Survey Technician III
Close Date 11/28/2021

  • Multimedia & Video Production Specialist - Limited Duration

Resources for November
Washington County Commissioner Jerry Willey Dist.4 and Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González Dist. 4 got a first-hand look at the Cloverleaf shelter operated by Open Door HousingWorks staff.
Washington County winter shelters are located in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard as highlighted in this report by KPTV.
Cloverleaf Winter Shelter Program
As the region moves into the winter season with wet, windy, and freezing temperatures, the Washington County Winter Shelter Program is essential for residents to have access to life-saving emergency shelter. The Cloverleaf Winter Shelter will serve as one shelter location. The site is located near the Washington County Fairgrounds in an unused facility with the necessary accommodations for site placement. This site will operate from November 15, 2021, to March 15, 2022, as a 24-hour emergency shelter, that will serve 50 participants. The shelter operating partner is Open Door HousingWorks, which will have on-site staff.
Houseless Resources
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
Emergency Rental Assistance
Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP). For those who live in Oregon and have felt uncertain about their housing due to COVID-19, this program can help them with rent and utility payments. Individuals can request rental assistance starting from last March (March 13, 2020) and up to 3 months of future rent at a time, until the program funds run out. Rent and utilities can include expenses like: electric, gas, power, heat, water, sewer, bulk fuel, eviction costs, fees charged by a landlord, and hotel costs if the hotel is the main residence. Click for an application in Spanish or in English. To learn more about the program, click on www.oregonrentalassistance.org.
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.
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.
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.
Business Recovery Disaster Loan Program
New updates from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to the federal disaster loan program for small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses impacted by the pandemic. New applications are now being accepted until December 31, 2021. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn about the new updates and about eligibility and application requirements.
Pandemic Response and Safety Grant program
The Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to specialty crop producers and processors, other select producers, meat and other processors, distributors, and farmers markets to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID–19). Check eligibility here.
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.  
PGE Payment Plans
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.  
Free TriMet Bus or MAX Passes to Vaccinations
Free day passes are available for people who would like to ride TriMet buses or trains or the Portland Streetcar to get to vaccination site. People can receive two free day passes to get both a first and second vaccine dose. Community organizations can request and distribute them by filling out this request form online. CBOs can request to pick-up or drop-off passes in person or via mail. You can also email TriMet at ticketsoha@trimet.org or call
503-962-2150 with any questions.
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 
Mental Health and Addiction Services in Washington County
Services may be accessed by calling the Washington County Member Services Line at
503-291-1155.
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.   
About this newsletter
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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