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I hope this note finds you well and you are sitting with a big bag of Halloween candy and skimming a few kit-kats off the top!
This has been a busy month full of community, state, and world events. There have been lots of voices in the mix on Hamas and Israel. It is a reminder of the power of words and the power of words that can leave communities isolated. I encourage you to listen to this powerful and impactful video from Rabbi Brous. I stand with the mothers, both Palestinian and Israeli, who yearn for their sons and daughters to come home safely from this war. I am hearing rumors of increased anti-semitism at our Oregon colleges, which is deeply concerning. Please report it to my office or the Bias Hotline.
I am feeling so thankful to head to Washington DC tomorrow to meet with the Biden Administration about their investments in Oregon and Washington. I started the month in DC for the Legislative Horizon’s Energy Institute. I was honored to be one of the 40 Legislators/Governor Energy advisors selected to do the program. I learned so much about the science and politics of energy and can’t wait to bring those skills back to the Oregon House.
We’ve been busy in the community, from groundbreakings for affordable housing in Redmond to permanent supportive housing in Bend. These projects will move the needle on housing! I also was able to attend the groundbreaking of Oasis Village in Redmond, which will be a safe place for those experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, I was able to talk to two classes about what it’s like to be a legislator, and gave a keynote for the 2023 Go Clean Energy Conference! Please check out our social media to see what we are up to in the community on the day-to-day.
As always, my door is open. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We are here as a resource to you. Find up-to-date information about community resources below, and stay tuned for a newsletter next month about two bills I will be bringing forward in 2024, one about e-bikes and one about pharmacy coupons!
Warm Regards,
Emerson
State Representative Emerson Levy
House District 53
Index of Community Resources Below
Employment Related Day Care (EDRC) Program
Oregon Hate & Bias Hotline
AgriStress Helpline
Recovery Network of Oregon
211 Info
Paid Leave Oregon Application Tips
Watch for Scams when Job Hunting
COVID Tests
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Program - Apply by November 3 for Employment Related Day Care
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) helps families who are working, getting TANF, or in school pay for child care. If you think you might qualify for ERDC, learn more by visiting Oregon.gov/delc/erdc and apply by 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2023. You can apply for ERDC at Benefits.Oregon.gov, by visiting or calling your local DHS office, or by dialing 1-800-699-9075.
ERDC will close enrollment and open a waitlist after November 3, 2023 because of increased demand and limited funding. If you are getting ERDC now, the waitlist will not affect you. You will continue to receive benefits.
Oregon Hate & Bias Hotline - Report Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents at 1-844-924-BIAS (2427)
Hate crimes and bias incidents have been on the rise, both in Oregon and nationally. It is up to all Oregonians to make sure that everyone is safe in their community. If you have been the victim of or witness to a bias crime, the victim-centered Bias Response Hotline is here to help you understand your options, make choices about next steps, and receive support in the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing bias.
When you call the Bias Response Hotline, you will be connected with trauma-informed hotline advocates who are trained in crisis intervention and can provide bias response advocacy, including assistance in reporting a bias crime to law enforcement.
The Oregon Hate and Bias Hotline can be reached at 1-844-924-BIAS (2427) from 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday, or online at StandAgainstHate.oregon.gov.
AgriStress Helpline - New Mental Health Line for Farmers and Ranchers: Call or Text 833-987-2474
 Did you know the rate of suicide among farmers is 3.5 times higher than the national average?
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) launched the AgriStress Helpline, a free confidential crisis and mental health resource to support farmers, farm workers, rachers, fisherman, foresters, and their families.
People can call the AgriStress Helpline when they are in a crisis, need resources, are concerned about a loved one or just need someone to talk to. The helpline’s crisis specialists understand the culture, values, stressors and lived experiences of agriculture, forestry and fishing workers. They can also offer local mental health resources specific to these industries.
The Oregon AgriStress Helpline is available 24/7. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text (833) 987-2474. The phone line can be accessed in up to 160 languages with the help of interpreters, and the text line offers English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Recovery Network of Oregon - New Resource to Find Addiction Recovery Services
The Recovery Network of Oregon, available at RecoveryNetworkOfOregon.org, is a website that serves as a central hub connecting Oregonians to the services and people they need to recover from alcohol and drug addiction. It also serves as a direct intake portal and referral system to Certified Recovery Mentors throughout the state that offer culturally relevant support.
On the site, users can search a directory of support services, providers, peers, and meetings designed to assist people with their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Visit https://recoverynetworkoforegon.org/ to learn more and find support near you.
211 Info - Find Resources with 211 Info
Whether you’re in need of food, childcare, or utilities assistance, 211info is a great place to start to find resources. For resources in your area, call 211, text your zip to 898211, email help@211info.org, or visit 211info.org.
Paid Leave Oregon Application Tips - Tips to Speed Up Your Claim When Applying for Paid Family & Medical Leave
Oregonians who need to take time off work to care for important personal life events can apply for paid family and medical leave. Employees can apply for benefits online by visiting tinyurl.com/PaidLeaveOregon.
Employees can apply for the following reasons:
- To care for themselves or members of their family during the birth of a child, or to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or placement of a child in their home through foster care;
- To care for themselves during a serious health condition;
- To care for a family member when they have a serious health condition;
- If they or their child experience sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.
If you plan to apply for benefits, you can speed up your claim by:
- Informing your employer about your leave before you apply;
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Using the “What You Need to Apply for Benefits Checklist” and making sure you upload the correct documents for your type of leave;
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Checking your Frances Online account regularly for action notices and messages;
- Making sure to put the employer's name on your claim as it appears on your W2 or paystub
If your claim has incorrect information or if you don’t notify your employer, your claim may be delayed. Please use the Paid Leave Oregon checklist or check out the Apply on Frances Online video to help you get ready to file your claim!
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Paid Leave Oregon using this contact request form. Detailed information for employees, including eligibility requirements, tutorial videos, a benefits calculator, and much more, is on the Paid Leave website at paidleave.oregon.gov.
Watch for Scams when Job Hunting - Stay safe in your job search. Watch out for scams!
With the rise in online employment scams, it's important to stay vigilant in your job search. The Oregon Employment Department (OED) wants Oregonians to always remember:
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Genuine employers won't ask for money: Never pay fees, buy equipment, or cash checks for potential employers.
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Double-check offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Research the company and contact them directly through official channels to verify.
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Guard your personal info: Be cautious when sharing personal details, especially Social Security numbers or financial information.
By being informed and cautious, you can protect yourself against fraud. For more detailed tips and resources on identifying and avoiding job scams, visit OED’s Job Offer Scams webpage.
COVID Tests - Order Free COVID-19 Tests
People can now order more free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government. Each household can order four tests at COVIDtests.gov, and the tests will arrive via U.S. Postal Service. These tests are in addition to any free tests previously ordered from the federal government.
If you still have unused at-home COVID-19 tests, whether you bought them at a store or ordered them from the government, check the expiration dates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended the expiration dates on many COVID-19 tests beyond what is printed on the box. Check this FDA webpage and search for your test’s brand and lot number to see if the FDA extended the expiration date. If your tests have expired, throw them away with the regular trash.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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