This is our final newsletter of the year. Many of us are moving into a season of family traditions and rest. For immigrant and refugee communities, this comes during a time of higher enforcement activity and fast policy changes. Staff and partners continue to support families who are facing uncertainty and disruption.
Since July, I have logged 1,527 miles for meetings from Portland to Medford. Those trips reflect what this moment asks of us: staying close to the people and organizations who support families every day. The travel also shaped the internal work we have been doing and informed the themes staff shared through the recent survey.
Thank you to everyone who completed the strategic plan survey. Your feedback was clear. You want stronger direction, shared goals, and more structure. The rise in federal enforcement and the strain on programs add urgency to this work. Because of that, we decided to finalize a draft of our mission, vision, values, and strategic plan earlier than planned. We still welcome feedback and will share the draft with you soon.
We will host our second open house on January 20, 2026 at 2 PM. We will walk through the updated mission, vision, values, and goals. We will also share an overview of the bills we are tracking for the 2026 short session. A sign-up form is included for anyone who would like to attend.
Thank you for everything you carried this year. Families felt the steadiness you brought to a difficult moment. That work matters more than most people see. I am grateful to walk into the new year alongside you and look forward to building the next phase of OIRA’s work together.
Warmly,
Jessica Ventura
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- Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services: for refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and SIV principal applicants and their families on recent changes to US immigration policy following the tragedy in Washington, DC
- National Immigration Law Center's FAQ, ""
Budget Workshops in January
ODHS invites Tribes, community partners, providers, local leaders and member of the public to join us for a series of collaborative conversations as we begin building the next two-year budget.
The sessions are an opportunity to:
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Learn how Oregon's human services budget is built
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Explore the risks and choices ODHS may need to consider
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Understand when and how you can share input throughout the budget process
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Tell us what matters most to you, your community and Tribes
Please save the date and register in advance for one of the following sessions:
2026 Federal Response – Forward Together Oregon Partner Webinar Series
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) warmly invite you to a webinar series that will provide an opportunity to connect with us and receive updates about federal changes impacting Oregon.
Details:
Virtual via Zoom, Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m. Pacific Time:
- Jan 27, 2026
- Mar 24, 2026
- May 19, 2026
- Jul 28, 2026
- Sep 22, 2026
- Nov 17, 2026
- All participant microphones will be muted.
- There will be an option to submit written questions.
- This webinar series will not be recorded.
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Materials and links shared during the webinars will be e-mailed to all registrants. You can also find information on the ODHS web page and the OHA web page. Questions? Email feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
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Spanish language and ASL Interpretation along with Real-time captioning (CART) will be available.
For people who speak or use a language other than English, people with disabilities or people who need additional support, we can provide free help. Some examples are:
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters
- Written materials in other languages
- Braille
- Real-time captioning (CART)
- Large print
- Virtual platform change
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Audio and other formats
This meeting will be virtual-only. This meeting will screen share and use PowerPoint slides.
Please contact Fabiola Herrera at mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov or 503-979-6984 (voice or text), at least 48 hours before the start of the webinar to request an accommodation. We will make every effort to provide services requested after the 48-hour deadline. We accept all relay calls. If you need an accommodation, please contact us right away, even if you are only considering attending. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.
Respondiendo a Cambios Federales - Adelante Juntos Oregon Seminarios Web de 2026
El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (ODHS) y Oregon Health Authority (OHA) le invitan cordialmente a participar en una serie de seminarios web que ofrecerá la oportunidad de conectarse con nosotros y recibir actualizaciones sobre cambios federales afectando a Oregon.
Detalles: Virtual por Zoom, Martes, 10 a 11 a.m. Hora del Pacífico
- 27 de enero del 2026
- 24 de marzo del 2026
- 19 de mayo del 2026
- 28 de julio del 2026
- 22 de septiembre del 2026
- 17 de noviembre del 2026
- Todos los micrófonos de los participantes estarán silenciados.
- Se podrán enviar preguntas por escrito.
- Esta serie de seminarios web no será grabada.
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Los materiales y enlaces compartidos durante los seminarios web se enviarán por correo electrónico a todos los inscritos. También puede encontrar información en las páginas web de ODHS y OHA. ¿Preguntas? Envié un correo electrónico a feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
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Los seminarios web se llevarán a cabo en ingles con interpretación en español y ASL disponibles.
Para personas que hablan o usan un idioma distinto del inglés, personas con discapacidad o personas que necesitan apoyo adicional, podemos brindar ayuda gratuita. Algunos ejemplos son:
- Intérpretes de lengua de señas y hablada.
- Materiales escritos en otros idiomas.
- Braille.
- Subtítulos en tiempo real (CART).
- Letra grande.
- Cambio de plataforma virtual.
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Audio y otros formatos
Esta reunión será exclusivamente virtual. Se compartirá la pantalla y se usarán diapositivas de PowerPoint.
Para solicitar una adaptación, comuníquese con Fabiola Herrera en mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov o 503-979-6984 (voz o mensaje de texto), al menos 48 horas antes del inicio del seminario web. Haremos todo lo posible por atender las solicitudes recibidas después de las 48 horas antes del inicio del seminario web. Aceptamos todas las llamadas de retransmisión. Si necesita una adaptación, contáctenos de inmediato, incluso si solo está considerando asistir. Cuanto antes solicite, más probable será que podamos satisfacer su necesidad.
Opportunities for event sponsorships through Trillium Community Health Plan- due Dec. 31, 2025
Through the sponsorship program, Trillium provides funding to organizations in our service areas that share our commitment to advancing health equity, addressing the social determinants of health, and transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.
Types of requests include, but are not limited to, community and fundraising events, conferences, health fairs and forums. To ensure equity to all community partners, please submit only one event sponsorship request per year for your organization. Sponsorship awards typically range from $100-$5,000.
Application Timeline
- Trillium will accept 2026 sponsorship requests through December 31, 2025.
- Sponsorship applications are due by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on December 31, 2025.
- Sponsorship awards will be announced in February 2026.
Survey to share input on requiring school districts to provide services for English language learners, and translation services for their families
Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is proposing amendments to OAR 581-021-0045 and OAR 581-023-0100. These amendments include requiring school districts to provide services for English language learners and to provide interpreting/translation services to their families and communities. ODE has created a survey, to help gather input on these amendments. I encourage you all to take the time to review the rule amendments and complete the survey. The survey can also be completed by parents, students, teachers, community members, etc. However, the survey is only available in English. The deadline to complete this survey is March 2, 2026.
Link to the rule amendments
Link to the survey
Lutheran Community Services NW Online Citizenship Class
This winter, Lutheran Community Services Northwest is excited to offer a free online citizenship class running from January 14 through March 18.
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Format: Online via Zoom
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Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
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Dates: January 14th – March 18
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Cost: Free (registration required)
- Complete the New Student Form
- After submitting, participants will receive a confirmation email with next steps.
Eligibility
Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) may apply for U.S. citizenship:
- 90 days before their 5-year anniversary, or
- 90 days before their 3-year anniversary if married to a U.S. citizen.
For questions or more information, please contact me at oyeager@lcsnw.org or 503-731-9583.
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Portland Community College offers online Explore College and Career for Immigrants and Refugees Classes
Because of an increase in worry about security in our communities, we have decided to offer our no-cost Explore College and Career for Immigrants and Refugees class online in January. This non-credit on-ramp to ESOL and in-demand career training is offered at no cost!
Best for low-intermediate English or above. ALL ARE WELCOME!
January 12 - 15 M - TH 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
January 20 - 23 T - F 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
We think this is a great way to support our students who might have children at home or limited mobility as well! This course is designed to help people choose a career goal and create a plan to reach it.
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Please share this flyer with your colleagues and participants.
- Read more about our programs by clicking HERE
- Help your participants sign up for all our no-cost classes by clicking on this link.
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