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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This has been a very busy and productive week. I've worked hard on implementation of the part-time faculty healthcare bill, which has just begun the rulemaking process at the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. I also had a great meeting with the co-chairs of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Committee, and several other meetings around the !-5/Rose Quarter plans.
It has been a tough week in the news and I hope you are all taking a moment to get some fresh air and to take care of yourselves - I know I benefited from some time away from the news. In regard to what has been unfolding in Afghanistan, I signed onto a letter to Governor Brown and our federal legislators calling for the safe passage of Afghan refugees into the United States. I am proud and thankful that two of our newest members of the Legislature, Representative Pham and Senator Jama, took the lead on such an important issue.
The COVID-19 news in Oregon has been very difficult and frustrating to hear about. We are in the midst of a very dangerous surge that is hitting the unvaccinated population hard. Please read more about Delta variant information and updates in the 'COVID-19 Updates' section of this newsletter.
In the midst of all the the negative news, we have had some positive things to celebrate. We finally got a break from the heat and I am looking forward to seeing temperatures in the 70s to low 80s for the next week. The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon is now 100% contained and we can begin to assess the real damage done. I have posted a list of resources and an update on recovery from last year's fires in the 'Wildfire Updates and Resources' section below. I was also pleased to hear that Governor Brown took executive action this week to expand the foreclosure moratorium on homeowners until December 31, 2021. This is a welcome reprieve and I would direct homeowners who require assistance to the Homeownership Assistance Fund.
You are all invited to my next Town Hall on August 31st at 6pm to discuss issues important to the Latinx community. I have reports to share from the last Session on topics I believe the BIPOC community can celebrate but I truly want to make this your Town Hall and I want to make this a complete conversation. I am taking a break from in-person town halls, so please join me on Zoom. You can register in advance here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsceqhqTMjGNC3jEF_PuNaBch5Jx9_rAu2
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. I look forward to seeing you there!
Being able to work remotely has given me the opportunity to relax after work for a couple of days at the beach!
COVID-19 UPDATES
I am going to be blunt in saying that the Delta variant is wreaking havoc here in Oregon. Oregon and we all have to work together to ensure that we do not lose more Oregonians to this virus. Oregon reported it's highest case numbers and highest hospitalization rate since the pandemic began and the Delta variant is not expected to peak in Oregon until September. As reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, there were only 275 non-ICU hospital beds available in the state. The very real fear is that as hospitalizations continue to rise, and if no new beds are created, the state may run out of beds in a matter of days. OHSU's modeling suggests Oregon could be short 500 intensive care beds when we hit the peak of the surge in September. Governor Brown has taken the unprecedented step of deploying the Oregon National Guard to assist in hospitals across the state. Please see the charts and information below for a more complete picture of just what we are facing here in Oregon.
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What we can do to mitigate the effects: OHSU experts urge Oregonians — including those who are vaccinated — to do at least two of the following as the delta variant fuels a wave of infections.
- Wear a mask indoors in all public spaces or with people outside your household. Wear a mask outdoors when you can't stay 6 feet from others.
- Limit gatherings. If you do gather, do it outside.
- Stay 6 feet from others whenever possible.
OHSU officials also recommend:
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Get vaccinated. It's the single best thing you can do to prevent severe illness from COVID-19. Please see the section below for where to get vaccinated.
- Limit interactions with others. Keep distance between your unvaccinated child and other people in public.
- Limit activities that could lead to an injury needing hospital care.
- If you're an unvaccinated adult, stay home and limit community interactions as much as possible.
VACCINATION INFORMATION
The CDC and OHSU are strongly recommending that everyone who is eligible get a vaccine. It is simply the best tool we have to stop the spread of this virus and to prevent unnecessary deaths. As you can see from the chart on the right, we still have a ways to go to get all eligible people vaccinated in Oregon.
There have also been some very important updates regarding vaccines this week. First, the CDC strongly recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated. They also recommend that any women breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future to get vaccinated now.
Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Fortunately, severe illness from COVID-19 during pregnancy can be avoided by getting fully vaccinated.
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Second, the CDC has new guidance out on when and if you need a booster shot. The CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC also recommends that ANYONE who took either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, get a booster shot 8 months after their second dose. The booster shots will be free and available anywhere that you can get an initial shot. For information on where to get a vaccine in Washington County, please continue reading below.
Finally, Governor Brown has announced two important new safety measures today:
- Oregon’s vaccination requirement for health care workers will no longer have a testing alternative. Health care workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later.
- All teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later.
Washington Co. Vaccine Information: Every Oregonian age 12 and up is eligible for a vaccine. Twelve to 14 year-olds must be accompanied by either a parent, guardian or someone designated by the parent. If someone other than a parent or guardian accompanies the 12 to 14-year-old, they will need to provide proof of parental/guardian consent.
Proof of consent is either:
- A signed consent form (available in English and Spanish on the All4OR.org site)
- A written or typed note that includes the parent/guardians name, relationship to the young adult, their date of birth, a statement saying they consent to young adult being vaccinated and the parent/guardian signature.
Fifteen-year-olds do not need to be accompanied, and do not require parental consent in the state of Oregon.
NEW! Washington County's Mobile Vaccination Van: Our van is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live or shop. Find the schedule here.
Beaverton Resource Center: Most Fridays from July 16 through September 24. See the flier for exact dates and times. Pfizer for ages 12 and older. Located at 13565 SW Walker Road.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centers: All vaccination events are open to the community, do not require an appointment, and do not require you to be a Virginia Garcia patient. You do not have to have insurance in order to receive a vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring your card with you. Remember, vaccines are free!
Local pharmacies: As of April 27, 2021, pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
How much does the vaccine cost? Vaccines are provided free of charge to the recipient. If you have health insurance, you may be asked to provide that information so the vaccinator can bill your insurance an administration fee.
Around Washington County
I've been out and about (mainly virtually) in Washington County, meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, the Western Washington Emergency Taskforce, and with mayors, councilors, and county commissioners. I was proud to see how Western Washington County came together during the last heatwave to provide cooling centers and other resources for those in need.
Right now, thousands of families are preparing for that annual tradition of 'back to school' preparation. As you plan for the new school year, I wanted to let you know that the Forest Grove School District and the Hillsboro School District are working very hard to ensure that students have a safe and healthy year. The FGSD just announced that it is still aiming for full-time, in-person instruction. The plan is that the district will provide many of the same safeguards implemented last school year, including masks indoors, increased ventilation, more frequent air exchange, high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters in each of the classrooms, and social distancing protocols when possible. Superintendent Parker has cautioned us that the situation is fluid, and while both local schools and state officials have repeatedly stressed that they plan to have full-time learning five days per week this fall — something most schools in Oregon haven't offered since before spring break in 2020, thanks to the pandemic — he intends to follow the guidance of public health authorities. Read more about Forest Grove's plans this year here
In between back-to-school shopping and organizing supplies, please remember that it will be a big transition back for many students. For some children, learning from home the past year has been a welcome break from school days that were difficult to navigate. For others, closing schools resulted in the loss of a daily routine and an environment in which they thrived.
Change can be hard, even for those who are excited about it. Children’s feelings about the transition back to in-person school may be complicated and their reactions may change as time goes on. Parents and caregivers will also likely have new feelings about it, which may not be the same as their kids’ reactions. Here are some ways to help your child with the transition.
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HSD Students, Families to Benefit from After School Program Expansion
More than three times as many students in the Hillsboro School District (HSD) will have access to after school programs during the 2021-22 school year as part of an expanding HSD partnership with the City of Hillsboro.
Building on years of collaboration to host BLAST after-school programs, HSD and the City are teaming up to serve more students and low-income families with affordable after school programs at eight Hillsboro elementary schools – Free Orchards, Lincoln Street, McKinney, Minter Bridge, Mooberry, Reedville, Rosedale, and Witch Hazel – beginning in September. Read more here.
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Forest Grove Aquatic Center pool repairs on schedule
There is some good news for the community in that the Forest Grove Aquatic Center is on track to reopen early next month. A leak that was discovered earlier this year required crews to cut a long, narrow trench along the whole perimeter of the main pool, but if everything goes according to plan, the main pool will reopen on September 8th." You can read more about the pool repairs here.
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Washington County shows growth in 2020 Census
I've been posting about the importance of the Census and the upcoming redistricting process in Oregon. The Secretary of State and the Legislative Redistricting Committee are still parsing through the data, but one of the most important pieces of information is how much population growth each area has had. In Western Washington County we have seen substantial growth.
Forest Grove grew rapidly last decade as its population increased from 21,083 at the 2010 Census by 24.4%, up to 26,225 at the 2020 Census. With that growth, Forest Grove has overtaken Tualatin as Washington County's fourth-largest city.
Hillsboro, Washington County's most populous city, is now at a population of 106,447, which is an 11.6% increase in the last decade.
And Cornelius grew a little less than expected. Its population went up by about 7%, from 11,869 in 2010 to 12,694 in 2020.
You can read more about our population growth here.
And please read more about redistricting here.
WILDFIRE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Disaster Case Management Program Contract Awarded for Individual Assistance
Following a disaster, case managers are essential to help survivors connect with needed services and resources to support them on the path to full recovery. Disaster case managers serve as a single point of contact to assist in addressing survivors’ unmet disaster-related needs, such as document recovery; navigating eligibility for various programs; finding interim and permanent housing along with household supplies and furniture; and accessing counseling and job search support.
To help the survivors of the 2020 wildfires in Oregon, FEMA granted $6.3 million to the state for its Disaster Case Management program, ensuring survivors will have assistance navigating the complexities of the system. Disaster Case Management will be open to all Oregon residents impacted by the September 2020 wildfires, regardless of whether they are registered with FEMA.
Oregon Department of Human Services awarded the Disaster Case Management Program contract to The Disaster Services Corp. – Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA. The contract runs through September 2022, providing survivors a full year of assistance.
Recovery Resource Guide
The Office of Emergency Management produces a Recovery Resource Guide outlining additional funding opportunities with deadlines to assist communities with recovery from the 2020 wildfires. To obtain a copy in English or Spanish, email shawna.jepson@mil.state.or.us.
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Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
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Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
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Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
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Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
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Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
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Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
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U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
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U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
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Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
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Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
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SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
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State taxes (Oregon Dept. of Revenue) Phone: 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 TTY: All relay calls are accepted. Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
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Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
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Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
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Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
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Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
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Medical records - Call your doctor or your medical insurance company; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.
The Governor’s office has put together a Wildfire Resources page that you can access from the Governor’s home page. It has links to many of the most important updates about the status of fires and resources for evacuees. This website will be updated regularly.
Legal Resources: Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Program, Oregon lawyers, through the Oregon State Bar, are partnering with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide legal assistance on FEMA claims, contract claims, insurance claims, landlord-tenant matters and more.
The Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Overview has ongoing updates about firefighting efforts, damage reports, and more.
FEMA Updates: FEMA has provided several different Fact Sheets and resources for accessing benefits, determining eligibility and avoiding scams.
UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATES
Federal Unemployment Assistance Ending
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended by the Continued Assistance Act (CAA), and then the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Federal benefit programs created under these Acts include Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). The last week payable under each of these federal programs will be the week ending September 4, 2021. This is true, even if you have a balance on your PUA, PEUC, FPUC, or MEUC claim.
You may still be eligible for regular unemployment. For questions, visit the OED website at unemployment.oregon.gov for more information.
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Employers and Employees
The following list of resources is from Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office. The fastest way to get in touch with the SOS team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov, using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Family time at the Coast!
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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