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Friends and Neighbors,
COVID-19 Updates
Medical and Public Health Experts Determine When to Recommend a Booster
From the Oregon Health Authority
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consider whether to recommend that individuals who were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should get booster doses.
Learn more and get answers to common questions on the Oregon Vaccine News blog
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Washington County
From Washington County Health & Human Services
Washington County's Mobile Vaccine Team: Our mobile team is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live, shop or hang out. We add new locations regularly, so there's a good chance we'll be in your neighborhood soon. Get a $50 gift card with your first dose until October 16, or until we run out of gift cards. Find the schedule here.
Local pharmacies: Pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
Beaverton Resource Center: This Friday morning clinic will extend into December. All three brands of the vaccine are available as well as Pfizer boosters. Visit Project Access Now's website to make an appointment.
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!
Still have questions or need language assistance? Call our HelpLine at 1-833-907-3520.
Legislative Updates
HECC Transfer Council
From the Higher Education Coordinating Commission
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce the formation and appointment of the Transfer Council, established by Senate Bill 233 in the 2021 Legislative Session. The Transfer Council—comprised of representatives from Oregon public universities, community colleges, and high schools— will develop and advance work to streamline student transfer pathways between institutions. This work is intended to simplify transfer and reduce the time and cost of earning a degree by making it easier for students statewide to know which courses will transfer and fulfill major and degree requirements. The Transfer Council’s first public meeting will be October 21st, and all meetings will be public, with details on the HECC website here.
Find more information and read the full press release here.
Recycling Updates
Solutions for Old Electronics
From Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling
Two-thirds of households have an old, unwanted TV, monitor, tablet or computer stashed away. Electronics are resource intensive to produce and contain heavy metals. It is important to manage them properly or else they could become monsters in the environment.
In Oregon, it’s free and easy to safely recycle these electronics through the Oregon E-cycles program and keep harmful materials like lead and mercury out of our air, soil and water. Find a drop-off recycling facility near you with the Garbage and Recycling Day app. #MonsterInYourCloset #OREcycles
But, before recycling, please consider how you can reduce and reuse first! Compared to recycling, extending the life of electronic devices has a much greater benefit to the environment, the community and often your wallet.
For tips on how to keep your devices working longer for you or how to get the electronics you no longer want into the hands of those that can use them check out our website or Facebook page. All month, we’ll be sharing information on the impact of our tech, tips on how to better manage electronics and details about the October 30th Free Geek electronics collection event in Hillsboro.
Note: Whether you are giving your device to someone or recycling it, erase all personal data so you can feel secure and confident of your choice. Find data destruction tips at the Oregon E-cycles website.
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Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle!
This weekend I was able to do some recycling at a James Recycling event. Wow...so much plastic! While I am sincerely grateful that James started this business to shift material from the landfill, we can do so much more about plastic waste issues by expanding EPR policy. It is Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle. We just can't recycle our way out of the plastic tsunami of product we are creating. To find out when an event is coming near you, visit their website: https://jshrecycling.com/.
Insurance Updates
Medicare Open Enrollment: Oct 15th - Dec 7th
From SHIBA (Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance)
Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 15, and the new 2022 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans is now available to help you decide which plan works best for you. Visit here, or click the graphic below, to read the Guide.
Local SHIBA counselors are also available to help and can be found by visiting https://SHIBA.Oregon.gov or calling (800) 722-4134 (toll-free).
Out and About - Working for House District 30
This past weekend, I joined Washington County Commission Chair Kathryn Harrington in Hillsboro to celebrate Washington County 4-H Oregon Student Ambassadors, amazing volunteers and retiring OSU Extension superstar, Pat Willis. I was a 4-H member growing up in Gales Creek. I shared the story of my prize-winning bunny, Paprika and my award-winning Sugar Cookies that I had entered in the Washington County Fair-Oregon long ago. ❤🐇 #ProudToBeHD30
Community Outreach
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. OnPoint Community Credit Union has released an updated edition of “The OnPoint Guide to Personal Cybersecurity,” a free online eBook to assist consumers and businesses in preventing and recovering from fraud. Find proactive information on how to protect yourself from identity theft and online fraud. I am sharing just one of their handy checklists below. Visit the guide for more information and read OnPoint Community Credit Union's press release here.
Digital Protection Checklist from OnPoint CU
National Friends of Libraries Week
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Visit your local library this week in celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. Did you know there is a NovelBranch book kiosk of the Hillsboro Library at Hidden Creek Community Center? Check out the details and times you can access this mini library here.
Visit WCCLS.org for a list of all libraries in Washington County. Happy reading!
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FACT Oregon Learning Opportunity!/Oportunidad de aprendizaje!
From FACT Oregon
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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