Healthy
Communities
Newsletter
December 2020
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Community partners working together
to build health and resilience
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Our Community Meetings
Scroll to bottom for a description of each group
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Safe Kids Clark County,
Faith-Based Coffee, the ACEs Action Alliance and the Trauma-Informed Schools Workgroup
will not meet in December
Dec. 14 - Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition
- 12:00 - 1:30 pm
- Zoom meeting
Jan 13 - Community Action Alliance (Cross-sector networking arm of CHARG and the ACEs Action Alliance)
- 9 to 10:30 am
- Zoom meeting
Jan. 14 - Trauma Informed Schools Workgroup
Jan 28 - Faith-Based Coffee (Combined)
- 9 to 10:30 am
- Zoom meeting
An updated calendar for all meetings can also be found at
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ACEs Action Alliance*
*ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences
The ACEs Action Alliance is open to all members of the community.
Next meetings
The Community Action Alliance Network (supports collaborative cross-sector connection) will meet on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 9 to 11 am.
The ACEs Alliance Learning Collaborative (Part II of our focus on belonging and inclusion) will meet on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 9 to 11 am. (Likely online - info will be published in the January newsletter.)
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Trauma-Informed Schools Workgroup
The TI Schools Workgroup is for people who work
in or with early childhood education and K-12 schools.
November meeting
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At the Nov. 12 meeting, we learned about a new data-sharing tool for Clark County called InfoMap. We also reviewed adversity indicators for 10th graders who participated in the Clark County Healthy Youth Survey. We learned about the RISE program from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and we discussed the article "How Trauma Informed Are We, Really?"
January meeting - Join us at 1 pm on Jan. 14 to hear from other schools/districts and to share about yours regarding T-I approaches, and to learn about the resilience factors measured in the Healthy Youth Survey and how they protect our children and youth.
following info into your calendar:
- Or connect by PHONE - requires Meeting ID & Passcode above
- +1 253.215.8782
- +1 669.900.9128
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For more information on the ACEs Action Alliance, resources, links to past newsletters, events and more, go to:
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Next Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 28
- 9 to 10:30 am
- Topic: Foster Care
- Or connect by PHONE - requires Meeting ID & Passcode above
- +1 253.215.8782
- +1 669.900.9128
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Follow us on Facebook for meeting updates and information
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Product Recalls
Safe Kids Worldwide lists product recalls each month. Please note: Product recalls never expire, so it’s important to check the recalls on a regular basis. This is especially important for hand-me-down or pre-owned children’s products.
Used child car seats and bike helmets should never be re-used in case their integrity is compromised.
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Safe Kids Clark County
no monthly meeting
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Child Car Seat Safety
class and clinic
No class in December
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Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition meeting
Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition strives to improve the health of our community by working collaboratively to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
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Next meeting: Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, Noon to 1:30 pm (different Monday due to holidays)
- on-line via Zoom
- Speaker: Carrie Aguilar, "Break Time for Nursing Mothers Under the FLSA"
- US DOL Wage and Hour’s Portland Assistant District Director Carrie Aguilar will provide an overview of the federal law “Break Time for Nursing Mothers Under the FLSA” which requires employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child and provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion, which may be used by the employee to express breast milk. Aguilar will also provide information on the federal Family Medical Leave Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which are federal laws that may also affect our nursing mothers and others in the workplace.
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If interested in attending, please register here.
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Announcements and Resources
Please send a pdf of announcements and fliers to Cyndie Meyer
before the last week of the month.
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Public Health launches the Healthier Clark County InfoMap for
Exploring Community Data
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InfoMap, a new interactive tool from Clark County Public Health, offers a new way of learning about health issues and how they impact people in Clark County. Through data visualized on maps and charts, users can explore how health and the circumstances and environments that influence health are distributed across the county. Topic areas include demographics and social factors that influence health, such as income, education and housing. The tool also features maps and data for several public health focus areas, including maternal health, chronic disease, and behavioral health. Data from this tool can be used to identify priorities and prevention efforts to address health concerns, apply for grant funding, promote policy/legislative priorities, and to learn more about places in Clark County.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY: All In Washington COVID Relief Fund Youth Behavioral Health Grants Program has opened for applications. The deadline to apply is Dec. 4 by 5 pm. This opportunity focuses on improving behavioral health and further strengthening resilience of youth ages 10 - 24 across Washington. Open to nonprofit community-based organizations and tribal entities to expand and deepen supports for youth and caregivers. It will prioritize organizations serving youth who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colo, including youth who are LGBTQ+. The program will be mindful to serve rural and remote areas of Washington. More info here.
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Early Childhood & Parenting
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The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco recently launched a focus on Investing in the Future of Child Care, with a series of webinars examining the child care market from a variety of angles. If you missed the live sessions, you can watch the recordings. And be sure to check out Bina Shrimali’s research brief that explores the importance of child care to the economy.
Trauma and Resilience
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From the DANA Foundation: Video short on "How Stress Affects the Brain." Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes long-term or overwhelming, it can be harmful. Learn what happens in your brain when you’re stressed, how stress can negatively affect your body, and what practices you can adopt to help keep it under control.
Equity and Social Justice
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LENS Care: Leading Equity Now in Systems of Care, 1 - 2 pm on Dec. 1. In the first webinar of this COVID-19 series, the National Institute of Health is taking an in-depth look at how bias limits quality care for those who need it most during this national crisis and sharing resources and ideas focused on achieving health equity and combatting the health disparities rooted in the structures of our systems. Click to learn more and register.
- The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and relates local history from the Chicano/Latino perspective with a social justice lens. We hope you enjoy them and please share with family and friends, especially those who have not been able to visit because of the pandemic. Enjoy!.
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History of museum: https://youtu.be/QOeQNSFXDiw
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Virtual Tour: https://youtu.be/63gzlcVPW2E
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Lines For Life (503-575-3764) offers a Racial Equity Support Line staffed by BIPOC professionals for individuals who are seeking support in response to experiences of racism, microaggressions, and issues related to immigration or cross-cultural conflict. They are currently operational Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information: https://www.linesforlife.org/racial-equity-support-line/
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Central Vancouver Prevention Coalition is looking for your input
If you live in the following zip codes: 98661, 98662, 98664, the
Central Vancouver Coalition wants to hear from YOU!
We are a coalition whose mission is to reduce and prevent youth substance use by building an inclusive, resilient and connected community through awareness, education, and collaboration. We are asking community members to complete a survey to help us understand your thoughts and feelings surrounding youth substance use. Your feedback will help us to better serve youth and families in our community.
This survey is anonymous, and your responses will be kept confidential.
If you’re interested in seeing the results of the survey or to learn more about the coalition, please join us at our monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month on Zoom or visit our website www.centralvancoalition.org.
This survey should take 10-20 minutes to complete.
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Mental Health and Other Supports
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SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1.800.985.5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
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COVID-19 and other Health & Safety Resources |
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Keep Your Holidays COVID-Safe |
Holiday gatherings this year could potentially drive local COVID case numbers even higher. “The safest way to celebrate the holidays this year is at home with the people you live with,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “Attending indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household puts you and your loved ones at higher risk of getting sick with COVID-19.”
Rather than gathering with others in person, invite friends and family members to join a virtual holiday meal or prepare a favorite holiday recipe and deliver it to loved ones in a way that avoids contact with others. Host holiday activities such as cookie decorating and gift exchanges virtually, and consider shopping for holiday gifts online or using curbside pickup, rather than visiting crowded stores.
Gatherings with people from outside of the household are not allowed unless all attendees quarantine prior to the gathering. Those who plan to host or attend in-person gatherings with people they don’t live with should take steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
- Self-quarantine. All attendees should quarantine for 14 days prior to the gathering, or quarantine for seven days and have a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the gathering.
- Keep the guest list small. Gathering with fewer people from one other household is safer than gathering with more people from several households.
- Gather outside, if possible. Indoor gatherings are higher risk than outdoor gatherings.
- If you gather indoors, open windows and doors to increase ventilation. Gather in a location that allows people from different households to maintain 6 feet of distance from each other.
- Wear face coverings anytime you’re not eating.
- Keep the gathering short. Longer gatherings are higher risk than shorter gatherings.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Avoid buffet-style potlucks and sharing of utensils. Instead, have each household bring their own food and drinks.
- Avoid gestures that require close contact with others, such as hugging or shaking hands.
- After the gathering, stay home as much as possible for 14 days. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, contact your health care provider to request testing.
You should not attend in-person gatherings if:
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not completed isolation
- You are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or are awaiting results from a COVID-19 test
- You have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and have not completed your 14-day quarantine.
Those who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or who live with someone at increased risk should consider skipping in-person gatherings. Those at risk for severe illness include older adults and people with underlying health conditions, such as COPD, cancer, heart conditions and those who are immunocompromised.
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Public Health COVID-19 Response
Impacted by Surge of Cases
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Clark County Public Health continues to work through an influx of COVID-19 cases. During the week of Nov. 16 , more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases were reported in Clark County. As a result, Public Health announced it was modifying its COVID-19 response to prioritize interviewing cases and identifying priority locations where exposures may have occurred. Public Health continues to work closely with priority locations, which include schools, long-term care facilities, the jail and food processing facilities, to prevent and mitigate outbreaks. Public Health is no longer identifying, notifying and monitoring individual close contacts of confirmed cases.
Public Health is working to train staff previously performing contact notification and monitoring to now conduct case interviews. However, the rapid increase in cases has made it difficult for staff to keep up. Although Public Health is still striving to call every person who tests positive, not all cases will be reached for an interview. The most recent cases are prioritized. Those who are not reached within two days of a positive test result will not likely receive a call from Public Health.
“We’re working with our local health care providers to ensure everyone who tests positive receives the appropriate information, even if Public Health is unable to reach them,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health director and county health officer. “The Public Health website also contains information for COVID-19 cases and their close contacts, as well as links to additional resources.”
Public Health has asked local health care providers to give everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 instructions for isolation and a handout for close contacts that details quarantine recommendations. All cases should isolate at home until they are no longer contagious and notify anyone they were in close contact with that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Public Health is also receiving an influx of calls from the community regarding COVID-19. Staff is working diligently to respond to all calls, however, response times may be longer than normal.
Here are some resources that can address the questions and concerns Public Health is hearing from the community:
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Clark County Public Health novel coronavirus website – Information about COVID-19 symptoms and testing, recommendations for preventing illnesses, guidance for cases and close contacts, and the latest local data.
- Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 assistance hotline, 800.525.0127 – Available 6 am to 10 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm weekends and holidays.
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COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers website – Requirements for businesses and details about Gov. Inslee’s statewide restrictions.
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Report a Safe Start Violation website – File a complaint about a business or organization not following masking or other Safe Start reopening requirements. Complaints are directed to the appropriate oversight agency for follow up.
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Keep up-to-date with factual information about COVID-19
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Washington State Coronavirus Hotline: 800.525.0127. Open 6 am-10 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 6 pm on weekends and holidays. This hotline is a partnership effort between Washington State Department of Health and Washington 211. This replaces the DOH novel coronavirus call center. (Please note that the statewide 211 system differs from our local 211 system.)
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Concerned that a local business may be violating Safe Start guidance (requirements for face coverings, occupancy limits, etc.)? Submit a report through the Safe Start site, which will route to the appropriate licensing and/or oversight agency, such as the Department of Labor and Industries or the Department of Health, for follow up. Concerns about events that violate Safe Start Guidance may also be reported to the same site: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/report-safe-start-violation
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Suspected violations at local food establishments may also be reported to Clark County Public Health for follow up by the local food safety team.
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About our coalitions and community groups |
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The ACEs Action Alliance is: |
A multi-sector collaborative of public and private organizations and individuals. We raise awareness about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their long-term impact. We promote trauma-informed approaches and policies to support resilience and healing for people of all ages. All are welcome at monthly meetings.
The four key functions served by the ACEs Alliance:
- Educate and build awareness of ACEs and toxic stress, resilience, the Trauma-Informed pathway and community efforts;
- Facilitate opportunities for community mobilization;
- Promote and facilitate cross-sector convening, connection and collaboration;
- Collect, evaluate and share community indicators of ACEs, root causes, and resilience.
Beginning in January 2021, all meetings will take place from 9 to 11 am on the second Wednesday of the month:
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ACEs Action Alliance Learning Collaborative supports learning and awareness about childhood trauma and individual/community resilience. The learning collaborative will meet in February, May and October. Throughout 2021 we will focus on building community belonging and inclusion on a strengths-based foundation.
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The Community Action Alliance Network provides a forum for CHARG members and members of the ACEs Action Alliance to meet together to learn about community services and support inclusive and collaborative cross-sector connections. This group will meet four times per year in January, March, June and September.
The Trauma-Informed Schools Team is open to anyone who works in or with schools in Clark County. We meet monthly to explore tools, resources and applications of trauma-informed principles for schools.
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A non-denominational bridge that joins faith partners, communities and local schools to share learning, meet the needs of children, families and neighborhoods, and address emergent needs that arise in our community. All are welcome. Members maintain the separation of church and state at meetings and when fulfilling needs by serving from the heart without promoting personal religious beliefs or engaging in religious recruitment.
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Safe Kids Clark County is: |
A member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a grassroots network of more than 600 coalitions and chapters that work closely with law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, health professionals, educators, businesses, public policy makers, and, most importantly, parents and kids to promote safety. Priorities include proper car seat use, baby's safe sleep, reducing child vehicular injuries and deaths, and water safety. Local coordination provided by American Medical Response (AMR).
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Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition is: |
A coalition that works to improve the health of our community by promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. CCBC is committed to identify and eliminate barriers to breastfeeding among families of all races and ethnicities in Clark County in order to foster a culture of inclusion.
The coalition works collaboratively to connect, educate and promote breastfeeding practices in all Clark County communities. CCBC also works to create an environment that supports breastfeeding as the cultural norm for infant feeding.
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The Healthy Communities Newsletter is published the first week of each month.
To submit announcements or share information, please send complete information or attach a high resolution pdf file to cyndie.meyer@clark.wa.gov by the 20th of the month prior.
All submissions will be screened and may be edited prior to publication.
If you would like to receive the Healthy Communities Newsletter, please email Jan.Dolph@clark.wa.gov
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For other formats, contact the Clark County ADA Office
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