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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
One of the best things about the Interim period between Legislative sessions is that I get the opportunity to be out in the community more and to see first-hand all the amazing programs we have across the state of Oregon. Yesterday, I was excited to tour the Ironworkers Local 29 Apprenticeship Program. Structural ironworkers erect our bridges, buildings, and other extensive infrastructure projects, and are incredibly skilled and hardworking. Their innovative apprenticeship program is turning out our future builders. Thank you to Ironworkers Local 29 for the invitation and for a great morning learning about your important role in building and sustaining our infrastructure.
THANK YOU!
As we finish out the school year, I want to take a moment to thank our teachers for all that they have done for our students and our community this past year. I was not able to write about Teacher Appreciation Week previously because it fell during the Legislative blackout period when we were prohibited from sending newsletters to constituents. I believe it has likely never been harder to be a teacher than during the last two years. There have been difficulties and obstacles presented by the pandemic, national debates about educational content and school board challenges, and gun violence concerns that are so raw right now after the tragedies for teachers, students, and schools all over the nation. Teachers have been stretched beyond what should be acceptable. As a former teacher of over 42 years, and as a co-chair overseeing our state's education budget, I want our local teachers to know that you have my commitment to do all I can to support you and your colleagues and to finding ways to improve working conditions for future school years. Thank you for being the backbone of our educational system and for the tireless work that you put in to help our students succeed and thrive!
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Meeting with students at the Capitol and visiting a classroom. Below left is a picture of me with June, Jennifer, and Megan - three former students of mine that are now teachers!
EMERGENCY BOARD ALLOCATIONS
Last week I wrote about Legislative Days and the important work we do during these Interim meetings. The Emergency Board, of which I am a member, has the responsibility of allocating much-needed funding for crucial programs across the state while the Legislature is in recess. A personal highlight for me was passing $19 million in funding for the Oregon Tribal Student Grant Program. This funding provides grants to Oregon tribal students to offset the cost of attendance to Oregon colleges and universities. These funds will implement the new grant program for the 2022-2023 academic year. As The Oregonian reports, the program could be the nation’s most ambitious program to reduce financial barriers to college attendance and completion for Native American students.
Read more about the various programs funded during our Emergency Board meeting last week:
Legislative Emergency Board Moves Forward Support for Stronger Schools, Early Learning and Student Mental Health
Emergency Board Aims to Support Victims of Crime and Violence Prevention
Emergency Board Takes Action for Infrastructure Projects in Wildfire-Impacted Communities Near Opal Creek and Jackson County
Emergency Board Advances Millions in Funding to Support Health Care and Behavioral Health Workforces
Emergency Board Targets Public Safety Improvements in East Portland with the Outer Powell Boulevard Project
To watch last Friday's Emergency Board hearing, please click on the image below:
I-5 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT UPDATES
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As mentioned in a previous newsletter, on May 5, the IBR program announced its recommended Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) which includes key components representing foundational transportation improvements:
- Extend light rail from the Expo Center in Portland, Oregon north to a new station on Hayden Island, continuing across the Columbia River on the new Interstate Bridge, following I-5 to multiple stations in the City of Vancouver, Washington, including a terminus near Evergreen Blvd.
- Construct a partial interchange at Hayden Island, and a full interchange at Marine Drive, designed to minimize impacts while making improvements to freight and workforce traffic and active transportation on Hayden Island and Marine Drive.
- Include one auxiliary lane northbound and one auxiliary lane southbound between Marine Drive and Mill Plain Blvd, in addition to three through lanes, to accommodate the safe movement of vehicles and freight.
The IBR program’s recommended Modified LPA was informed by feedback from the community, planning, modeling, and evaluation work that has occurred since the program started in 2019. Learn more about how the program arrived at this recommendation on the next steps webpage.
A note from Greg Johnson, IBR Program Administrator:
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"This program has several steps ahead of it, but right now, where we are at with getting alignment around a locally preferred alternative, is a significant milestone to demonstrate that this area is serious about getting this bridge completed. We know that this Locally Preferred Alternative is an important step, not a final step, and that the community wants to move this program forward and wants to see this get built."
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Upcoming Meetings
Click link for more details including materials and online meeting links.
AROUND WESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Free Summer Meals - Forest Grove
Free summer lunches will be available to youth (ages 1 - 18) through the federally funded Summer Food Program. There are no fees and no registration is needed. Here are the locations and dates/times available:
Joseph Gale Elementary (3130 18th Ave)
June 18th - August 17th - Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8-9am
Lunch: 12:00-12:30pm
Echo Shaw Elementary (914 S. Linden St)
June 25 - July 19th - Monday - Thursday
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Lunch: 11am-12:30pm
NAMS (1777 Mountain View Lane)
June 25 - July 19th - Monday - Thursday
Breakfast: 7:50-8:10am
Lunch: 11:10am-11:30am
FGHS (1401 Nichols Lane)
June 18th - July 19th - Monday - Thursday
Breakfast: 7:30-8:00am
Lunch: 11am-11:30am
Bard Park (2921 22nd Avenue)
June 18th - August 17th - Monday - Friday
Lunch: 12-12:30pm
Harleman Park (795 S Heather Street)
June 18th - August 17th - Monday - Friday
Lunch: 12-12:30pm
Lincoln Park (2725 Main Street)
June 18th - August 17th - Monday - Friday
Lunch: 12-12:30pm
Rose Grove Park (3839 Pacific Avenue)
June 18th - August 17th - Monday - Friday
Lunch: 12-12:30pm
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**GroveLink directly serves four of the summer meals locations. The free transportation goes past the high school, Joseph Gale, Lincoln Park, and Bard Park.
Free Summer Meals - Hillsboro
Free meals are available to children ages 1-18 at various locations around Hillsboro Mondays through Thursdays from June 22 - Aug. 18, with no service on Monday, July 4.
Shute Park
775 SE 10th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Monday- Thursday (12:00 pm – 12:30 pm)
Walnut Street Park
1717 SE Walnut Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Monday- Thursday (11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Shadywood Park
535 NE 24th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Monday- Thursday (11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
McKinney Park
375 NW Dennis Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Monday- Thursday (11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Reedville Elementary
2695 SW 209th Ave
Aloha, OR 97003
Monday- Thursday (11:30 am – 12:00 pm)
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Hillsboro Athlete Cadence Lange competes at the Special Olympics USA Games
Special Olympics Oregon athlete Cadence Lange of Hillsboro, is in Orlando, Florida competing in Athletics with Team Oregon at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Please join me in congratulating Cadence, and all Team Oregon athletes, on this amazing accomplishment! We are proud of you and are cheering for you!
Congratulations to Forest Grove and Cornelius Students for Recognition in Pamplin's "Amazing Kids" Series
The Forest Grove News-Times has recognized Yamil Gaona Miranda from Forest Grove, and Zachary Abela-Gale of Cornelius, for their outstanding achievements in and out of the classroom.
Yamil Gaona Miranda knows how to keep a beat. Since elementary school, she has been stepping and twisting at all the right moments for Ballet Folklorico, a traditional Mexican dance group. In middle school, she picked up the guitarrón, a mariachi band's version of the bass guitar, and now she keeps the whole group on time.
Gaona Miranda also runs cross-country in the fall and track and field in the spring, specializing in distance races like the 1,500- and 3,000-meter events.
Read the full news story on Yamil at the Forest Grove News-Times here.
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Zachary Abela-Gale, a Pacific University computer science student, fixes computers at the Cornelius Public Library. In addition to his computer science major, Abela-Gale is studying for a minor in mathematics and enjoying liberal arts electives, such as an art class called "Material Science for Makers."
Abela-Gale practically grew up in the Cornelius Public Library. As an elementary school student, he remembers writing public testimony in favor of funding a new library building to deliver to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. And today, Abela-Gale actually works part-time at the library — fixing computers, of course.
Read the full story on Zachary in the Forest Grove News-Times by clicking here.
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Free 3-Week STEM Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers
Free TriMET passes are available for transportation (if needed) and free lunch is provided. See this flyer (English, Spanish) for more information, and contact Blake Turner with any questions.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Oregon posted an 11% weekly drop in identified coronavirus cases Monday, marking the second week of declining case counts. However, unlike earlier in the pandemic, publicly reported cases now represent an even smaller fraction of true infections, with many Oregonians opting for at-home testing that doesn’t show up in the state’s official numbers. Test positivity rates among publicly reported tests remain high, at 12.3% for the past three days, although down from the previous weekend.
Don't forget to place your order for free at-home COVID-19 tests!
- Each household is eligible for three free orders through the USPS
- Each order now includes #8 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Your order of #8 tests will come in #2 separate packages (#4 tests in each package), each with its own tracking number
- Packages will ship free
Where can I get a vaccine or booster in Washington County?
All of the major health systems are providing COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. You can use this CDC tool to figure out when to get your booster.
Washington County Vaccine Team: The team is in the community five days a week providing vaccinations at schools, shelters, and other locations. These are walk-in clinics. No appointment, ID, or insurance is required. This schedule lists public clinics only. We are now giving additional boosters at these clinics.
In-home vaccinations: Are you or a loved one unable to get to a vaccine clinic because of a disability or other physical or mental health barrier? See if you qualify for a free in-home vaccination by calling 503-846-8123, emailing us or filling out this form.
Tektronix: This is a walk-up clinic operated by Oregon Health Authority. It is located at 2540 SW Alan Blumlein Way (inside Building 58) in Beaverton. The clinic is open Thursday through Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Beaverton Resource Center: This clinic takes place every Friday inside the Beaverton Resource Center, 13565 SW Walker Road. Make an appointment at Project Access Now's website.
La Mixteca Oaxaca: This clinic is open every Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. It is operated by Oregon Health Authority and Vive NW. It is located at 1050 SE Walnut Street in Hillsboro. No appointments, ID, or health insurance required. Testing is also available at this site. Questions? Call the Vive NW hotline at 844-291-4970.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center: Vaccination and testing at the new Hillsboro 7th Avenue clinic (226 SE 7th Ave) is open to all community members. You don't have to be a Virginia Garcia patient. Testing is drive-thru and vaccination is walk-up. Hours are M-F, 9a.m. to 4 p.m. You will need an appointment. Find more information at VG's website.
Centro Cultural: This clinic is located at 1110 N Adair Street in Cornelius. It is open on the last Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. No appointment, ID, or health insurance is required. Find more information at Centro's website.
PET SAFETY THIS SUMMER
Thank you to Dove Lewis for providing these important tips on keeping your furry friends safe during the warmer temperatures.
WILDFIRE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Check out the Oregon State Fire Marshal's June Newsletter
EXTRA, EXTRA! It's that time of year to talk about firework safety and sales for the 4th of July holiday! Also in June's issue of the Gated Wye, the Oregon fire service took advantage of cooler temperatures in May to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. The Department provides an overview of the current training programs and a list of new grants made available to promote fire safety and to increase staffing. Read all about it and much much more in the latest issue of the Gated Wye.
Click on the banner image below or here to read the newsletter!
Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you:
A nonprofit research group is releasing a first-of-its-kind tool for homeowners that shows the wildfire risk for properties across the lower 48 states, and shows how that risk will change as the climate gets hotter.
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Wildfire 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.
VETERANS RESOURCES
Washington County Veterans Resources
American Legion Post 104: (503) 642-4907
American Legion Post 006: (503) 648-7191
Washington County Disability, Aging, and Veteran Services: (503) 846- 3060
Hillsboro VA Clinic: (503) 906-5000
Paws Assisting Veterans: info@paveusa.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars: (503) 895- 1342
Hillsboro Elks Lodge: (503) 648- 1862
Rock Creek Veteran Resources | Veteran Resources at PCC : (971) 722-7743 or 7744
Veterans Support | Pacific University
Mental Health Services:
- Washington County Crisis Line | 503-291-9111
- Crisis Text Line | Text “Connect” to 741741
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Lifeline | 1-866-488-7386
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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