This past month, our Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) has been busy as we meet with organizations and groups from around Oregon and with our counterparts across the country. Much of the work we do is about building community connection and we are grateful to have a extremely knowledgeable and talented staff who do this so well.

Over the next few months, we'll be introducing you to our team members, all of whom play an important role in this work. This month, I'm pleased to highlight Misty Schoene, Community Engagement Manager for OIRA. As you'll see, OIRA is built with a diverse group of passionate people. I look forward to strengthening our partnerships to make a beneficial impact through identifying, developing and operating ​a statewide immigrant and refugee integration strategy, OIRA's mission.

Thank you for all you do,

Cheryl Miller, Interim Director, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement

Misty is a second-generation refugee, born in the U.S. to a refugee from Vietnam. She is passionate about working with immigrant and refugee families in need. She advocates and strategizes for culturally specific services that create equitable services for all. Misty joined OIRA in January 2024 as the Community Engagement Manager. She brings extensive knowledge from her prior work in ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs (SSP) and her personal experience as a child of a refugee. She began her career with ​ODHS in 2002 in the Portland area and has since held numerous roles. She most recently served as the Lead Analyst for the SSP Refugee Program and worked on the program for over seven years.​ We are grateful for Misty and her dedication to building bridges between community and government agencies in a way that centers and elevates the work and contributions of immigrant and refugee communities.​

Do you need help understanding Oregon Health Plan’s new health-related social needs benefits?

• Oregon Health Authority now offers help for community organizations and others to understand health-related social needs.

Saturday, November 9, 2024: In-person information session on how to apply for U.S. Citizenship/Naturalization in Spanish

• Location: Salem Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR - Room Anderson A&B Time: Noon – 1:30 p.m.
• Presentation language will be in Spanish. Host Organization: Salem Library, in partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Oregon Health Authority grant opportunity for community health organizations and community-based groups

The Oregon Health Authority Equity & Inclusion Division's REALD & SOGI Team is excited about this new opportunity to work together to help promote and protect the health of the many communities of Oregon. Receive up to $75,000 for train-the-trainer curriculum to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed trainings on the collection of REALD & SOGI data.

• Applications open October 11, 2024 and close November 15, 2024 at 3:00pm
• Question and answer Zoom session on November 1 at 3:00 p.m.

Upcoming grant opportunity from Federal Department of Homeland Security

Federal Department of Homeland Security Announces $210 Million of Additional Funds to Protect Faith-Based Institutions and Nonprofit Organizations Against Targeted Attacks

• funding notice out in late October.