Washington County
COVID-19 Community Newsletter
March 18, 2022
Partnerships are Key to Equitable Response and Recovery
Washington County is being recognized for its pandemic response and recovery plan for spending American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the community. Results for America, a national nonprofit, analyzed pandemic recovery plans from local governments across the country to understand how governments are using evidence to ensure impactful and equitable investment.

For Washington County, investing and partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) has been instrumental in providing support to individuals, families and businesses - especially those have been disproportionately impacted by negative pandemic impacts. Community-based organizations have mutual trust with community members and help build comprehensive community support. It is because of these strong CBO partnerships that Washington County is holistically moving forward into recovery and receiving national recognition.
Washington County was one of just FOUR counties in the U.S. to receive a perfect score on Results for America’s Data, Evidence, and Outcome’s assessment. Results for America independently determined Washington County’s approach to be the ideal model for how to spend ARPA dollars in an effective and equitable way. For a look at how Washington County scores as one of four top counties and in the top eight jurisdictions nationally visit results4america.org/tools/arp-dashboard/
Collaborating with Community Partners
During the 2021 calendar year, Washington County has invested ARPA funds into a variety of CBO partnerships. These are some of the impacts ARPA dollars have made into our community! 

  • 74% of people vaccinated at our community partnership mobile clinics identified as people of color. 

  • Virginia Garcia hosted 40 mobile clinics with about half of those clinics serving migrant camps.

  • Living Islands and other organizations that serve Pacific Islander communities provided food boxes and meals to 650+ families during vaccination events.

  • Lutheran Community Services Northwest provided art therapy and art supplies to 660+ immigrant and refugee community members during vaccine events.

  • Korean Society of Oregon reduced social isolation and food insecurity for Korean older adults, 300+ community members attended vaccine clinics and were visited by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea.

  • Center for African Immigrant and Refugee Organization (CAIRO) provided culturally responsive vaccine education outreach with Somali community, reaching 50+ families.
Washington County has partnered with dozens of community-based organizations throughout the pandemic. Together with CBOs, we have saved lives, stabilized households and businesses, and jump-started recovery. National recognition could not have been earned without this collaboration. Most importantly, our community has been better served throughout our shared response and recovery efforts.

Thank you! 
Latest ARPA Presentations
Watch the latest ARPA Board briefings including pandemic response and recovery status updates, programs in development and other planning considerations.
Investing in Washington County
Through the Washington County Board of Commissioners' leadership and partnerships with community-based organizations, we are committed to centering racial equity in the use of American Rescue Plan funds for an equitable recovery

Visit www.co.washington.or.us/recovery for regular updates and upcoming presentations.
Community Resources
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.
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
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.
Funding for CBOs supporting Older Adults and People with Disabilities
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

Individuals and organizations with questions about this opportunity should send an email to APD.ServiceEquityCommunications@dhsoha.state.or.us and include “Innovation Fund” in the subject line.
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.
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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