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Friends and Neighbors,
2023 Session Accomplishments
I am proud of the hard work put forward by all of us on the Senate District 15 Team this session to get these important bills across the finish line. This list reflects wins for Oregon's advanced manufacturing industry with the CHIPS Act, environmental wins, supports for students, important restructuring of our public defense system and recognition for community members. I look forward to continuing the work on the Right to Repair bill concept (SB 542) and a tax exemption for military veterans (SB 540), and also hearing from constituents on issues that are important to you.
Out and About in Senate District 15
4th of July
Great crowd at the Hillsboro Parade. Happy to join such an amazing group of humans, Moms Demand Action - OR
Michael Mascaro's Book Party
Last Friday I attended a community reading of Michael Mascaro's first children's book, "Another Epic Day". They had pizza for all who attended and crafts for kids. It was wonderful to meet the co-author, N.D. Byma and I was able to read another of N.D.'s books to attendees, "My friend Barley Presents: Let's Play Ball".
Oregon Nurses Association Info Picket Line
Thank you Oregon Nurses Association for your compassionate care of Oregonians in their time of need! I joined their Info Picket line last week to advocate to recruit. retain, and respect Nurses!
Westside Queer Resource Center Grand Opening
The Westside Queer Resource Center GRAND OPENING happened the end of June!       A beautiful, welcoming and positive space. Humans accepting humans...imagine!  
District News Update
- From Pamplin Media Group -
Forest Grove's Martin Road to close this week for roundabout construction
Northwest Martin Road will be closed for nearly three months for a long-awaited roundabout at Oregon Highway 47. The road was closed on Thursday, July 6 and is not expected to re-open until September 30, 2023. If you're interested in reading more about the project, or viewing a map of the route you can use as a detour click here.
Community Outreach
Oregon Food Bank x ODHS Free Food Market
- From City of Hillsboro's Facebook -
 As COVID-19 related Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increases expired in March 2023 and grocery prices continue rising, many individuals and families are facing challenges with food security. The Fee Food Market is one of many local resources available to people in need, and is a collaboration between the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), and the Oregon Food Bank.
Occurs every second Tuesday of the Month, 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Hillsboro Self Sufficiency office (5300 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124). The next Free Food Market will be on Tuesday, July 11!
Shop for free, fresh, and healthy fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples.
- This food is free and anybody is welcome
- No identification, name, or address needed
- Please bring bags or boxes
PACT Act Benefits: Claims received by August 9 will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation
- Fom OR Department of Veteran's Affairs -
 The PACT Act and VA Benefits
Claims received by August 9 will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation
Thanks to the PACT Act, millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now eligible for VA health care and benefits.
While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency. Most Veterans and survivors who apply for benefits or submit an “Intent to File” by August 9, if granted, will have their benefits backdated to August 10th of last year – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law.
To encourage Veterans to apply today, VA facilities is hosting a nationwide Summer VetFest in July. The VetFest will include more than 50 events across the country to inform Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors about the PACT Act. These events will be casual summer gatherings, featuring Veterans, their families, Veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them.
Many of these events will also feature food and music, as well as VA staff who are ready to personally help Veterans apply or submit an intent to file, get screened for toxic exposures, or even apply to come work at VA.
For Veterans that cannot attend a local event, VA.gov/PACT is a one-stop shop to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. They can also apply by calling 1-800-MYVA411.
Learn more about the PACT Act
The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to Burn Pits, Agency Orange, Radiation and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
After the passage of the PACT Act last August, more than 500,000 claims for benefits have been filed by veterans to receive expanded healthcare and benefits entering the month of May.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
More information from the VA The VA has established a PACT Act webpage to help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
To file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care, please contact your local Veteran Service Office in Oregon.
OR Department of Early Learning and Care Update
- From OR Dept. of Early Learning & Care -
 On July 1, 2023, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) launched, bringing together the Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) and the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program to unify, strengthen and expand Oregon’s early learning and care system.
The mission of DELC is to foster coordinated, culturally-appropriate and family-centered services that recognize and respect the needs of all children, families and early learning and care professionals.
DELC will support all children ages 0 to 5 and help Oregon families find and pay for high-quality early learning and care opportunities that are family-centered and culturally-appropriate. DELC will also support child care professionals by providing technical assistance, professional development opportunities, business services, licensing, grants and other resources.
What’s Changing
Here are some changes to expect as of July 1, 2023:
- New name, look, email addresses* and website
- ELD will transition from ODE to DELC, a standalone state agency
- The ERDC program will transition from ODHS to DELC (note: families will still apply for and receive benefits through ODHS)
- All information related to early learning and child care, including searching for providers and programs, will be on DELC’s new website, which will launch July 1
- Families can receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and ERDC to help pay for child care at the same time
- There will not be a separate TANF child care program
- There will be fewer reasons ERDC could end early for families
- Beginning with grants issued in the 2023-2025 biennium, grantees will use a new grant management system to manage and submit all claims. System training will be scheduled and instruction manuals will be provided during the month of July. (Note: grantees should continue to manage their 2021-2023 grants in the current ODE EGMS system)
*NOTE: ELD staff email addresses will change to @delc.oregon.gov on or around June 12, 2023. ERDC staff emails will change to @delc.oregon.gov on or around July 3, 2023. Emails sent to old email addresses will be forwarded to new email addresses through the end of 2023.
What’s Staying the Same
While some things are changing with the transition to DELC, many are staying the same, including:
- Early learning and care programs under ELD such as Preschool Promise and Oregon Pre-Kindergarten
- Customer service phone numbers
- Billing forms and payment processes
- Licensing and inspections
- Background checks
- Applying for and receiving ERDC benefits through ODHS
I hope you will join me in helping spread the word to families and child care professionals! If you have any questions about how this change might affect you, please contact ELD.Media@ode.oregon.gov.
Thank you to our First Responders
- From Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency's Facebook -
"[The W.C.C.C.A 9-1-1] center received 1,540 phone calls on the 4th, between the hours of 8pm and 2am; 974 more calls than the night before. Thank you for utilizing the non-emergency number for firework complaints when appropriate and calling 9-1-1 when needed. Thank you to our dispatchers for the amazing job you did during this very busy night. Thank you to our user agencies and community members for your support and patience during this time of increased activity."
To our first responders - Thank you for everything you do, all first responders. You are very selfless in your service to our communities. Thank you for all the work you do to continuously keep us safe, and thank you for serving, for doing a job that puts others first, and for being heroes in the community. I see and appreciate each and every one of you. ~Janeen
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
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
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