This month's newsletter is going out shortly before Election Day and it would be remiss to not address the uncertainty that everyone is feeling right now. The results of this election, whatever they may be, will affect each one of us little differently, and some much more than others. Because it is so difficult to predict when we will get the results, what they will be, and what will be different collective reactions, many of us are feeling a lot of anxiety right now. As an advocacy organization, and as individuals, it can be helpful to remember that there are things that we can control. As individuals, now is the time to identify what our self-care looks like and recognize that rest and seeking support is an important part of advocacy efforts that are sustainable. Collectively, we have also seen that regardless of what happens in the presidential election, as advocates we have influence over our state policies as well as those in our own communities. No matter the outcome, we still have work to do, and will continue to do it. If you haven't voted because of anxiety or ambivalence about the presidential election, your ballot also impacts the outcomes of our state and community policies, so we encourage you to get your ballot in today. 

Take care and stay safe,

This month, we're welcoming Jen Shin to OSBHA as our new Operations Manager. We're so thrilled to have her on our team. Jen answered some questions about her passions and what brings her to OSBHA.

My own personal experience with mental health drew me to the social services sector five years ago. I always wished I had more culturally-relevant and trauma-informed support in my youth and I am passionate about missions that push this forward in meaningful ways.

I really love thinking about processes and how they inherently favor and perpetuate dominant culture. It’s cool to be part of a team that is willing to embark on that work with me!

I love having howling matches with my dog Yoshi and writing/reflecting on my past/present experiences through personal essays, zines, and fiction.

I would give everyone the highest level of self-awareness and empathy so we can all understand how we affect one another in more nuanced and profound ways.

Please join us in welcoming Jen to our team! Jen can be reached at jen@osbha.org.

OSBHA is looking to add a new Community Partnerships Coordinator to our team. We’d love to talk with you if you are excited about changing health and education systems to better support and meet the needs of youth in school.

The Community Partnerships Coordinator builds relationships and collaborates with Latinx focused partner organizations to ensure that OSBHA’s school health policy work will benefit Latinx students. 

This is a half-time (20 hour/week) non-exempt position that pays $28/hour and includes full benefits. Applications are due Wednesday, November 11 at 5pm. Click here for the full job description and more info on how to apply.

We're excited to share our new School-Based Health Center YAC Toolkit. This toolkit is designed for YAC Coordinators interested in increasing the effectiveness of your YAC (Youth Action Council or Youth Advisory Council). These tools are meant to support YACs in building collective power between youth and adults, and use that power to ensure that youth have access to comprehensive and youth-friendly health care.

This toolkit was developed by OSBHA staff and Student Health Advocates through a contract with the Oregon Health Authority SBHC State Program Office. We would like to thank the Ione Community Clinic and Hood River Valley High School Health Center for participating in YAC Coaching during the 2019-2020 school year, and trying out many of the tools in this toolkit.

Beginning this month, we're sharing suggested reading from the OSBHA team in our newsletters. We hope you'll click through to read the articles below.

Why the Coronavirus More Often Strikes Children of Color, The New York Times

"One of the notable features of the new coronavirus, evident early in the pandemic, was that it largely spared children. Some become severely ill, but deaths have been few, compared to adults. But people of color have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, and recent studies have renewed concern about the susceptibility of children in these communities." Keep reading.

COVID survey shows anxiety and optimism in high school, District Administration

"Social media and texting have a bad reputation, but when used well these types of virtual connection points between students are vital to supporting their overall mental health—especially during times of social distancing." Keep reading.

Teach About Blackface and Other Racist Halloween Choices, Teaching Tolerance

"Halloween is this weekend. And every year, we see stories of celebrities and students alike making culturally appropriative or racist costume choices. Here are tips for proactively talking about why this is harmful." Keep reading.

The youth vote will be crucial this year — and these grassroots groups know it, Mic

"Across the country, organizers are pushing back against the fallacy that young people don't care about politics. In fact, that couldn't be further than the truth. 'What we found in our work in young people, first and foremost, is that young people are motivated by issues. They don’t identify as being with one particular party over the other,' says Clarissa Unger, director and co-founder of the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, an organization that mobilizes college students to the polls. In other words, young people care deeply about political issues — they just don't care about partisan fighting." Keep reading.