Washington County COVID-19 Community Engagement Newsletter |
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Get your booster to protect against Omicron |
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The Omicron variant is more contagious than other variants and although some people have experienced milder symptoms, we don't know yet if it will cause less severe disease. In small studies, boosters shots provided protection, so please get your booster and continue to take COVID precautions during the holiday season.
Oregon Health Authority announced the first cases of Omicron in Oregon on December 13. Two of the cases were in Washington County. Watch the video or read the news release.
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Where to get your booster |
Washington County now has a high-volume vaccination site on the Tektronix campus. The site is open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. This is a walk-up clinic and very busy so dress warmly as you may have to wait outside. Everyone 16 and older who has gotten a COVID-19 vaccine is eligible for a booster. For those who got the J & J shot, you can get a booster two months after your initial shot. For those who got the Moderna or Pfizer series, you can get a booster six months after your second shot. Don't forget that children 5-11 are now eligible for COVID-19 shots--they are not eligible for boosters. Check out our vaccine page for more information on the Tektronix location and other options for getting the COVID-19 vaccine : www.co.washington.or.us/vaccine .
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OHA announces funding opportunity for community-based organizations |
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Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division is announcing a new funding opportunity for community-based organizations. Funding areas include:
- Adolescent and School Health, $2 million.
- Commercial Tobacco Prevention, $20 million.
- Public Health Modernization (Environmental Public Health and Climate Change, Climate Change Health Impacts, Communicable Disease Prevention and Emergency Preparedness), $8.6 million.
- HIV, STD, TB Prevention and Treatment, $225,000.
- Overdose Prevention, $140,000.
- ScreenWise (breast and cervical cancer detection and services), Patient Navigation and Barrier Reduction, $100,000.
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Renters Assistance for Washington County |
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American Rescue Plan Act Latest |
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Investing in Washington County
The American Rescue Plan Act has already funded some much-needed programs and opportunities in Washington County. Because of ARPA, WIC received funds to improve access to fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. Other funding areas include the Emergency Rental Assistance program for renters in need of assistance on past due or upcoming rent. And ensuring shelter and safety for families, medically vulnerable individuals, and adults experiencing homelessness through the winter shelter program and hotel vouchers, funded by ARPA.
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Year in review
On Tuesday, December 14, Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrington delivered her annual End of Year message, sharing her perspective on challenges presented in 2021, including the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to expand availability to affordable housing, and supportive housing services, the County’s continuing investments in our transportation system, as well as economic development. She also provides a hopeful look ahead for the coming year.
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Public Alert System for Severe Weather |
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Winter storms can cause power outages and increase the risk of car accidents and hypothermia. Stock your car with warm clothes and traction devices, and visit: http://ready.gov/power-outages to learn more about preparing for power outages. |
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Get alerts right in your pocket
Now is the perfect time to sign up for Washington County's new public alert system to stay prepared for when winter weather hazards or power outages are in your area.
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Everbridge allows people to sign up to receive critical information quickly during emergencies like severe weather, critical utility outages like boil water notices, missing persons, evacuations, and other public safety situations. |
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Washington County Law Library
eBooks are now available for check out at the Washington County Law Library! Learn more, including how the Law Library benefits the community at http://ow.ly/t0FX50H4s49. |
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Save the date!
Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 4-7 PM at the Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro
Westside Pitch is a startup competition for Washington County entrepreneurs seeking to showcase their early-stage businesses. Competitors will have the chance to pitch their business venture to a panel of local investors. Participants will receive personalized coaching by Laura Kubisiak from Venture Catalyst to prepare ahead of the event. Applications can be submitted here January 5th. Spectators are welcome! Buy Ticket here. |
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Washington County Employment Opportunities |
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New employment opportunities with Washington County as of December 2021.
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Winter Shelters in Washington County |
The winter season can be extremely harsh with wet, windy, and freezing temperatures. For this reason, the Washington County Winter Shelter program is essential for residents to have access to life-saving emergency shelter.
For shelter resources located in Washington County, please contact Community Connect at 503-640-3263 or view an informational flyer (English | Spanish), or speak with your housing case manager to be connected.
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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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