We foster collaborative engagement to advance equity in Washington County.
May Observances
Mental Health Awareness Month

The Washington County Crisis Line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you care about is feeling depressed or anxious, having trouble with drug or alcohol use, thinking or talking about suicide, call 503-291-9111 for free, confidential help. The Crisis Line is staffed by experienced behavioral health professionals. The line also has trained peer support specialists. If you speak a language other than English, an interpreter will be provided. All calls are confidential.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Throughout the month of May, APANO Communities United Fund will dive into the theme of community. The Liberation in Practice series for BIPOC participants will return for its second year, and on Wednesday, May 25 all community, partners, and allies are invited to attend Voices of Change: Community Celebration, 7–8:30pm on Zoom.
VAN Convenings:
WashCo Thrives - Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative
We made great progress at our second Washington County Thrives quarterly meeting of the year, on April 20, 2022. With over 30 leaders representing all sectors, we discussed the challenges and ideas identified at the recent Behavioral Health Workforce Summit and committed to harnessing the collaborative power of Thrives to help strengthen the workforce in response to the behavioral health crisis in Washington County.
With the help of Thrives partners, we can build a coalition to address the four focus areas we identified as critical:

  1. Workforce development – training for new and existing staff/volunteers; development of career pathways w/high schools, community colleges, universities
  2. Immediate Care – near-term improvements to support for workers and clients
  3. Child Care – increasing child care capacity to support workers and clients
  4. Awareness Campaign – engaging in public outreach to highlight challenges and opportunities

Folding the Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative under the auspices of Thrives engages a broad stakeholder group that has a vested interest in the issues, and uses this established forum to take some concerted actions designed to address both immediate and long-term needs.

Do you have an interest in helping with this initiative? Join us! Fill out the interest form to let us know how you would like to be involved.

Watch the recorded meeting below to learn more!
Local Podcasts
Check out these great podcasts to keep you informed and connected to your community!
The City of Tigard produces Talking Tigard and En Contacto, with stories and news from the Tigard community and beyond.
Hillsboro Public Library produces I Blame My Shelf, a monthly podcast that aims to give patrons new ways to interact with their public library.
Have a favorite Washington County podcast we should feature? Let us know! Email jenny@visionactionnetwork.org with suggestions.

Follow VAN's podcast Finding Community!
Get Engaged!
Visit our Community Events Calendar for opportunities to engage meaningfully in your community!
Featured Event
Wed, May 4, 6-8pm

Parents, guardians, and grandparents will be able to meet with care providers and learn about summer care programs for school-age kids at the Washington County Kids third Expo-Summer Care Fair! Information from providers will be provided in both English and Spanish.

Featured Event
Fri, May 6, 10am-4pm

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce will host a Hiring Expo at the Wingspan Event and Conference Center in Hillsboro. Over 70 Washington County employers have reserved booths for meeting potential employees. Those seeking employment should register online and arrive interview ready. 
Your City, Your County, Your Community
Applications and information available upon request from the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
Learn and engage in the county's budget process
The City of Hillsboro wants to hear from community members in May workshops
Join a steering committee to decide how to spend a part of a public budget
Public comment and questions are welcome at May 6 meeting
Survey available online through May