Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

NEWS RELEASE: Oregon Insurance Brokers, OAESD, and ODE partner to provide needed coverage to support culturally diverse summer enrichment programs

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 06/09/2022 10:10 AM PDT

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NEWS RELEASE
June 9, 2022
Media Contact: Marc Siegel

Oregon Insurance Brokers, OAESD and ODE partner to provide needed coverage to support culturally diverse summer enrichment programs

(Salem, Ore.) – After the announcement last week outlining the struggle to acquire necessary insurance to protect students and community based organizations (CBOs), new insurance partners have stepped forward to fill the need.

Late yesterday, the Oregon Association of Education Service Districts announced, “...a few insurance agents have reached out to us to let us know they are ready, willing, and able to provide reasonable rates in a short timeline for this summer. We are in conversations with several providers to make sure they understand the scope and the timeline in preparation.”

On Tuesday this week, Portland-based Durham & Bates Insurance Vice President and Personal Lines Manager Evelyn Sorenson reached out to ODE Director Colt Gill with the first offer to support CBOs. Since that time, Bill Gilmore of Great Basin Insurance in Klamath Falls also agreed to expedite required insurance applications. OAESD is in discussion with additional providers as well.

While meeting full insurance requirements is a priority, an expedited approach to the application process is also needed. These partners have agreed to prioritize a quick turnaround on applications and meet the needed requirements. Talks are underway with additional providers and those resources will be shared out to the CBOs as soon as they are available.

Funds from the $50 million allocated for summer enrichment programs by the Oregon Legislature and Governor Brown can be used to reimburse the cost of the annual insurance policy for the summer of 2022 as well as reimburse organizations for the costs of criminal background checks for staff and volunteers.

“This is a shining example of Oregon’s community spirit,” ODE Director Colt Gill said. “We were more than disheartened to share last week’s news. Oregon’s CBOs and nonprofits are a treasure, highlighting the very best of our local communities and bringing culturally-specific supports to children across the state. These new partnerships will offer safe access to thousands of students while ensuring the long-term viability of Oregon’s CBOs.”

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