|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who came to my Education Town Hall last Saturday. I heard from students, parents, grandparents, and school board members and we all had a very productive conversation. I was very pleased with the variety of voices represented and I look forward to another education-focused Town Hall soon.
On Friday, November 12th, the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations, of which I am a co-chair, will have a public hearing. For more information on the meeting and how you can participate, please click here.
I know many parents, grandparents, school administrators, and teachers have been waiting for approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 and as of today, that wait is over. In Oregon, children ages 5-11 can now receive their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination after the FDA, the CDC, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup signed off on its safety and efficacy. Please see the vaccine section of this newsletter for more information. I know many hoped approval would come by Halloween, but with Thanksgiving just around the corner, there is now another important tool for keeping families safe as they gather for the holidays.
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during the 2021 Statewide Veterans Day Celebration — which will return to an outdoor and in-person format this year, within public health guidelines.
The event will feature remarks by federal, state and local dignitaries and ceremonial elements such as a color guard, national anthem, wreath presentation and the playing of “Taps.” Attendees should please be advised that this year’s event will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10 — the day before Veterans Day. The event will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol Park located on Court Street Northeast in downtown Salem — directly in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
While the celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras, there will be a special focus on the contributions of Vietnam War-era veterans. The event will be followed by an optional walking tour of the site of the future Oregon Vietnam War Memorial, led by Vietnam War Memorial Fund President Steve Bates.
The event is open to the public and limited seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and plan accordingly for Oregon weather.
“We are grateful to be able to host an in-person event this year, in a safe, socially distanced format designed to ensure the health and safety of participants and attendees,” said Kelly Fitzpatrick, director of ODVA, which is organizing the event with the help of state and local partners. “We are especially honored to be able to host this important event in such a prominent location, in the heart of our state capital. This day reminds us of the great debt that we owe our nation’s heroes; they deserve to be recognized and honored — not only on Veterans Day, but every day.”
For those unable to attend, the event will also be live-streamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet.
COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 540, which is 11 more than yesterday. There are 114 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is four more than yesterday.
There are 65 available adult ICU beds out of 690 total (9% availability) and 355 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,101 (9% availability).
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.
Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain. You can find a test here.
If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.
Oregon reports 1,240 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Oct. 29, 771 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Oct. 30, and 558 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Oct. 31.
VACCINE INFORMATION
Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup Finds Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine is Safe and Effective for 5- to 11-Year Olds
Workgroup finds expanding COVID-19 vaccination to anyone 5 years of age and older will protect those who are vaccinated, contribute to control of the COVID-19 pandemic
(Salem, OR) —The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup last night completed its review of the federal process and has unanimously concluded that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is safe and effective for youth 5 to 11 years of age. The Workgroup provided its confirmation to the Governors of California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington this morning.
The Oregon Health Authority will inform health care providers today that vaccinations for 5- to 11-year olds can begin in Oregon today.
On Friday, October 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of the vaccine in 5- to 11-year olds, and the CDC affirmed that decision on Tuesday. The Workgroup reviewed and affirmed the federal decisions Wednesday morning.
The Workgroup thoroughly reviewed safety data for the vaccine, including the absence of any severe adverse events among vaccine recipients in the clinical trial. Reactions were mild and similar to those seen in adolescents and adults and with other vaccines routinely recommended for children and were less common at ages 5-11 years than at 16-25 years.
Washington, Oregon, and Nevada joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup in October. The workgroup, made up of nationally-acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health, has concurrently and independently reviewed the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccines. It will continue to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines as they go through the federal process.
Statement from Governor Kate Brown: “This is great news for Oregon children, parents, and families. Vaccination is the best tool we have to protect ourselves and our loved ones. With today’s review by leading doctors, pediatricians, and health experts, Oregon parents and children can be confident in the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 5-to-11-year-olds. It is completely normal for parents and kids to have questions about vaccines––I urge you to reach out to your family doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist and get your questions answered today.”
Vaccinations in Oregon
Today, OHA reported that 10,364 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 31. Of this total, 2,759 were administered on Oct. 31: 398 were initial doses; 218 were second doses and 2,129 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 7,605 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 31.
The seven-day running average is now 15,236 doses per day.
Oregon has now administered 3,305,040 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 2,012,076 doses of Moderna and 228,725 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
As of today, 2,820,379 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,615,092 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.
These data are preliminary and subject to change.
Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.
Washington Co. Vaccine Information:
Washington County's Mobile Vaccination Van: The 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.
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.
Centro Cultural Clinic: On Saturdays at 1110 N. Adair Street in Cornelius
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.
EDUCATION INFORMATION AND UPDATES
As a former teacher of over 42 years, and as Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations, I was excited to learn that the Biden Administration had included free community college funding in the Build Back Better Plan. Unfortunately, that program has been cut from the latest iteration of the bill. I have joined several of my colleagues in the Legislature in writing a letter to President Biden strongly advocating that they reverse course and put free community college back in the proposed legislation. An investment in two years of free community college would be a game changer and help close the skills gap, while providing folks with higher wages and more disposable income. You can read more about our letter in this Oregon Public Broadcasting article below:
Oregon lawmakers urge Biden administration to reconsider free community college
Democrats in the Oregon Legislature sent letters to the state’s U.S. congressional delegation Monday, urging them and the Biden administration to revisit a plan for free community college.
President Joe Biden originally included two years of free community college in his “Build Back Better Plan,” but removed it from the spending framework last week. Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill worked to scale back what had previously been a $3.5 trillion package last week to satisfy concerns from moderates in their party, particularly Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
The state lawmakers in Oregon are hoping Biden and other Democratic leaders will reconsider the policy in the near future.
“By not investing in two years of free community college, this threatens Oregon’s and the United States’ ability to develop and retain a workforce that meets today’s evolving industry needs,” the state Democrats who authored the letter wrote.
They wrote that two years of free community college would help lift millions of Americans economically, especially those from underserved communities such as people of color and people with low incomes.
“I believe the investments we make in our students today will yield many certificates and degrees need to strengthen our community in Oregon and across our nation, which will help decrease lifelong debt that many people are experiencing,” Oregon Democratic state Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, one of the letter’s authors, told OPB Monday.
The state lawmakers noted that Oregon already has a version of free community college through the Oregon Promise Act — which came out of a Senate bill passed by state lawmakers in 2015.
But, the Oregon Promise does not cover everyone. Only students who have recently earned an Oregon high school diploma or GED are eligible; there are specific requirements for grade point average and Oregon residency; and, it only covers up to 12 credits per term.
“Oregon shows what is possible, but we cannot stop here. We urgently need more funding to maintain the Oregon Promise Act to support students, retain talent, and grow our economy,” the lawmakers wrote.
High school graduates are choosing not to attend college due to rising tuition costs, the state lawmakers said — a trend that’s only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Enrollment declined sharply last year at Oregon’s community colleges, according to data shared by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
“This is not sustainable. We can and should build back better,” they wrote. “That starts by creating a post-secondary pathway for students by removing financial barriers, like tuition, that will incentivize students to attend community colleges where they can get the training they need to secure a job, receive a good wage, and ensure we are economically relevant and competitive.”
OSAC Scholarship and Grant Applications Open for 2022-23 School Year
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) has officially opened the OSAC Scholarship Application for the 2022-2023 academic year. As of today, students can now apply for OSAC Scholarships, the Oregon Promise Grant, the Oregon Child Care Grant, and even more state grant programs.
OSAC administers more than $130 million in state-funded grants and privately-funded scholarships to help Oregon students meet their college expenses. New and current postsecondary education students can find links to the grant and scholarship applications at OregonStudentAid.gov.
OSAC SCHOLARSHIPS: OSAC has made accessing scholarships easy for Oregon students with its catalog of more than 600 privately-funded scholarships. Students can apply for up to 40 scholarships through a single online application. Scholarship funds are available for graduating high school seniors; undergraduate and graduate college students; GED® students; undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students; homeschooled students; community college and vocational school students; adult learners returning to school; and more. Students must apply online at OregonStudentAid.gov and submit a completed OSAC scholarship application and all other required materials by the final deadline of March 1, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (PST). Students who submit their applications by February 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. may be entered in a drawing to win a $1,000 OSAC Early Bird scholarship.
DETERMINING NEED - FAFSA or ORSAA: Many scholarships and most grants require completion of either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). Every new and returning student must complete one of these two applications to be considered for state and/or federal financial aid, including loans. Most students applying for aid complete the FAFSA to determine their state and federal financial aid eligibility. Students with undocumented status, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, instead fill out the ORSAA—Oregon’s alternative to the FAFSA. The information provided on the FAFSA or the ORSAA will determine students' eligibility for the Oregon Promise, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, and numerous scholarships. Information provided on the ORSAA is secure and confidential, and shared only with Oregon colleges and universities that students list on the ORSAA.
OREGON OPPORTUNITY GRANT: The Oregon Opportunity Grant is Oregon’s largest state-funded, need-based grant program. The grant supports low-income students (both recent high school graduates and adult learners) pursuing undergraduate degrees at eligible public and private colleges and universities. Oregon Opportunity Grants are awarded until funds are exhausted, so students should complete either the FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible to be automatically considered for the grant for 2021-22.
OREGON PROMISE: Students receiving their high school diploma or GED® equivalent in the near future, as well as recent graduates, may be eligible for the Oregon Promise Grant. Oregon Promise helps students pay for tuition at any Oregon community college. Most students must apply for Oregon Promise during their senior year or immediately after GED® test completion (see full Oregon Promise deadlines). Students must meet minimum GPA requirements and enroll in a community college no later than six months after graduation. Interested students must complete an Oregon Promise application and submit a FAFSA or ORSAA by their designated deadline. Depending on program funding, awards may be limited to those under a certain Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) threshold.
ADDITIONAL GRANTS: OSAC also administers grants for special populations including current and former foster youth (Oregon Chafee Education and Training Grant), current members of the Oregon National Guard (Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance), dependents of deceased or disabled public safety officers (DDPSO), and students raising children while taking college courses (Student Child Care Grant).
OSAC strongly encourages students to apply for financial aid as soon as possible to maximize their opportunities to be awarded. If students have any questions about financial aid, they can reach out to OSAC via osac@hecc.oregon.gov. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can also be found at OregonStudentAid.gov.
Around Washington County
The Fiesta de Tamales returns for another year of delicious opportunities!
Working in conjunction with Hillsboro's own M&M Marketplace, local small businesses, and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, the Hillsboro School Foundation is excited to again be involved with the Fiesta de Tamales. Several vendors from M&M will be preparing tamales for purchase, with orders available for pick-up on Saturday, November 20th from 12pm-3pm.
CLICK HERE to place your order by Friday, November 12th.
Join Bienestar on December 9th
Latinx performers will take the stage in a musical celebration of Bienestar's legacy of affordable housing, immigrant rights advocacy, and community solidarity. For tickets, please go to: https://bit.ly/noche-de-bienestar.
WILDFIRE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
-
Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
-
Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
-
Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
-
Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
-
Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
-
U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
-
U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
-
Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
-
Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
-
SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
-
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
-
Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
-
Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
-
Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
-
Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
-
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.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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
The beach to Mt. Hood - Oregon is so beautiful!
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
| 
