5/25/2022 Senate District 15 Newsletter

View Online
Senator Janeen Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Upcoming Events

Join me at BJ's Coffee in Forest Grove for my 89th Community Conversation. This is a great opportunity to gather informally and share your questions and concerns. Hope to see you there. Let's support a local Senate District 15 small business!

CC Graphic

Environmental Updates

Happening Today! Uniting States Against Plastics Rally at 10:30am

Join me, with advocates and legislators from across the country, as we discuss ways to rid plastics from our environment. This virtual event begins at 10:30am.

Register here

Read more on 'The Future of the World's Plastic Waste' and the harmful effects of plastic in our environment. According to the article, "By 2050, it's expected that roughly 12 billion tons of plastic waste will end up in landfills or the natural environment."

Remember, its Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle. We must continue to reduce plastic consumption in our daily lives and help spread awareness to others. We cannot recycle our way out of the plastics problem.

Plastics Rally Graphic

Oregon OSHA Adopts Permanent Rules to Protect Farmworkers from High Heat, Wildfire Smoke

Earlier this month, Oregon OSHA adopted new rules to protect farmworkers during high heat or wildfire events. As we are seeing higher and higher temperatures, and extended periods of smoke from wildfires, due to climate change, it is necessary to continually evaluate our farmworkers safety while on the job. The new heat rule will take effect on June 15th and the wildfire smoke rule on July 1st. Read the full article here for details on what the new rules entail. 


Legislative Updates

Virtual Legislative Days: June 1-3

During Legislative Days in June, committees will meet remotely to hear updates on Interim work and hold Informational Hearings. Along with the previous committees I served on during the Legislative Session, I was recently appointed as Co-Chair of the Joint Emergency Board Subcommittee on General Government. Follow along with my committee hearings virtually, by using the links below. Agendas and meeting times will be posted in the coming weeks.


COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

COVID-19 Booster Dose Now Recommended for 5-11 Year Olds

From the Oregon Health Authority

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup has authorized a single booster dose of the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. Visit OHA here for more information.

OHA Graphic

Out and About in Senate District 15

Project Never Again-Courage Card Event

The SD 15 team recently helped out at Project Never Again's Courage Card Event, writing cards with encouraging messages that will come inside each donated duffel bag given to a child entering the foster care system. "Seema Steffany founded Project Never Again based on her passion for children in foster care, as well as her own experiences as a child." A lot of love and compassion is packed into each bag. Project Never Again is a Senate District 15 organization, founded in North Plains.

PNA Pics

 

May is National Foster Care Month. Visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/ to learn more. 

Did you know? Oregon Youth Authority has a Foster Care Program. Learn more about Foster Care for OYA Youth here.

Foster Care Month

Oregon International Air Show

"She Flies With Her Own Wings" was the motto for this year's Oregon International Air Show at the Hillsboro Airport. The show was represented by 100% lady pilots this year and it was such an inspiring day. It was wonderful to see the young kids, especially young girls, as they looked in awe as the female pilots took flight.

Air Show 1

Air Show 2

Eastwood Elementary Jog-a-Thon

What a great day it was to cheer on Hillsboro School District youth at Eastwood Elementary School for their Jog-a-thon fundraiser. I greatly enjoy being able to connect with kids in their school settings and see what inspires them. They continually inspire me with their spirit and heart for helping others. 

Jog-a-Thon

Community Outreach

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

From Mental Health America

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the mental health of people of all ages, and now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that commonly prevents individuals
from seeking help. There are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency, regardless
of the situations they are dealing with. Knowing when to turn to friends, family, and co-workers when you are struggling with life’s challenges can help improve your mental health.
One way to check in with yourself is to take a mental health screen at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and private way for someone to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.

Safe + Strong Oregon

Safe + Strong

Visit Oregon's Safe + Strong Website for Mental and Emotional Health Support, including: 

  • Crisis Helplines
  • Signs, Symptoms and Self-Care
  • Care in Your Community
  • Find Support Near You

Helplines You Can Call for Support Right Now

From Safe + Strong

If you are in danger, thinking of harming yourself or someone else or need help right away, you can call one of the helplines listed below. Someone will be there to listen and support you. You can also call 911 in the case of an emergency.

About Self Care

From the National Institute of Mental Health

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:

  • Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
  • Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
  • Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
  • Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
  • Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
  • Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
    Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.

For other ideas for healthy practices for your mind, body, surroundings, and relationships, see the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wellness Toolkits.


WCCLS Passport-Summer Reading For Adults

Visit the 16 library locations in Washington County this summer and you could win a prize! Find more information from Washington County Cooperative Library Services here.

WCCLS Graphic

Summer Agricultural Institute for K-12 Teachers

Graphic

NORTH PLAINS: Veterans Memorial Park Ceremony

NP Memorial Day

 

May 30th, 2022 at 11:00am

Veterans Memorial Park
Highland Court & 313th Avenue
North Plains, OR 97133

Visit here for more information.


OREGON'S 2022 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY IN SALEM

Memorial Day Salem


The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host Oregon’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony in person at 11 a.m., Monday, May 30, at the Oregon World War II Memorial located on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

The event will honor the nation’s fallen service members and include remarks from veteran leaders and state dignitaries, a color guard ceremony, a performance of the national anthem, and the laying of a wreath followed by the playing of “Taps.” It is the first in-person Memorial Day event the agency has hosted since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about the Ceremony


Additional Resources

 Senate District 15 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Food and Housing Assistance

What happened in Uvalde, Texas yesterday and is unfolding before our eyes is devastating. As a mom and a grandma, I cannot fathom the level of pain that the parents of these young children are feeling. The trauma that the surviving students will face their whole life is unimaginable. The community is overwhelmed with grief and we stand with them in this pain. My tears flowed heavy last night. I let my own kids and their partners know that I love them, two are teachers and one a nurse. I also felt anger and frustration that Congress continues to offer thoughts, prayers and moments of silence, but does nothing to offer solutions to the growing epidemic of gun violence in our nation. It is a public health crisis. How can we continue to do nothing, when our kids, in their safe zone of school, are being killed. Other countries have faced this kind of pain, addressed it with change and have had positive results because of action taken. See Scotland. We can be better. We can demand action of Congress. We can make sure we elect people that are not beholden to the gun lobby, but are bound to serve the people. Do not even try to go to the place of “hands off my guns and my rights”. If that was your first thought when you heard about this horrible tragedy, you need to dig deep and reflect your time on this planet as a fellow human being. Our kids are being killed. Parents in Uvalde woke up today, got their kids up, fed them breakfast, sent them off to school and went to work with no idea this is how their day would end. This is too much pain and it is 100% preventable. Hug your kids, tell them you love them and let’s get to work.

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Onward & Upward,

Janeen

Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon’s past and we must honor them well into our future.    

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman