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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation - Friday, May 3rd
Join me at BJ's Coffee in Forest Grove on Friday, May 3rd for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there.
Legislative Updates
Summer Learning Bill Signing Ceremony
On Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek signed, and we celebrated, HB 4082, providing funds for Summer Learning and investments for our kids. It was a great day for Oregon students!
"We know that education is the key to Oregon students being able to compete globally and locally in a 21st Century economy. Summer learning programs ensure that students not only have the basic skills they need to gain access to good jobs, but summer programs can also give students exposure to STEM education that will help them no matter what industry they go into,” Senator Janeen Sollman (D - Hillsboro).
Read the full press release here.
Governor Kotek Announces Investment in New CHIPS Child Care Fund
$5 million from Oregon CHIPS Act to be allocated to new Child Care Fund
April 17, 2024
Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that $5 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act will be allocated to the new Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund created by House Bill 4098, bringing the total starting capacity of the fund to $7.5 million.
“Every family should have access to affordable, quality child care options when they need them,” Governor Kotek said. “With the Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund, Oregon is taking up the call from the Biden-Harris Administration to set a plan in place to address child care supply and affordability for apprentices and journey workers in the semiconductor supply chain. This initial investment expedites the opportunity to support working families in Oregon.”
“Access to affordable, high-quality child care is crucial for fostering workforce diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in emerging industries,” Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson said. “We’re so excited to build on the established program housed at the Bureau of Labor and Industries to provide child care support to even more members of the building and construction trades. The CHIPS Child Care fund will not only help more Oregonians enter the building and construction trades by providing subsidies for child care during apprenticeship, but also help those same working families stay in the trade by continuing to provide support after recent graduation.”
“A skilled workforce is the backbone of a business, and Oregonians with families cannot thrive without having safe, local, child care options they can afford,” Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang said. “This program plays a big part in addressing this need within the semiconductor sector and can serve as a model for other industries in years to come.”
The Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund directs Business Oregon to work with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to build off of the agency’s existing successful Apprenticeship-Related Child Care (ARCC) program to help fund child care for workers in the semiconductor supply chain. House Bill 4098 also directs funding to the existing Business Oregon Child Care Infrastructure Program to help support critical child care investments in regions where CHIPS Act investments are being made.
Business Oregon will enter into an interagency agreement with BOLI to develop and administer the Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund. Business Oregon will also establish a work group to adopt recommendations for requiring certain businesses to make a financial contribution to the CHIPS Child Care Fund. The work group will report to the committees of the Legislative Assembly related to child care and workforce development by November 15, 2024.
Governor Kotek signed House Bill 4098 into law, which established the Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund, on April 4, 2024.
Washington County Child Care Forum
As a Chief Sponsor of the CHIPS Child Care Act, I was happy to join the Washington County Child Care Forum earlier this week. Child care is the work that happens so all the other work can happen. Thank you to all the organizations that came together at the summit to focus on need and to celebrate HB 4098.
Listen. Learn. Act.
Washington County Public Safety & Justice Legislative Forum
This week, Washington County hosted legislators and staff to come together with Public Safety officials and learn about their challenges and successes in continuing to keep our County safe. We heard from the Juvenile Department, Community Corrections, District Attorney, Sheriff and Presiding Judge about system challenges, concerns to public safety and resources needed to fulfill our shared goals.
Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council DEI Summit
Last Friday, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part at an event for high school and middle school students to learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and share our experiences and thoughts with each other, on how DEI can be impactful in schools. Thank you to the Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council for the invitation and for organizing such a great event.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Visit to Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA) to Honor 'National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: Celebrating the Nation’s 9-1-1 Heroes'
Today, I toured the WCCCA in Hillsboro, the center for all of our emergency telecommunications in Washington County. This week we honor our Emergency Telecommunicators who answer the call whenever we are experiencing an emergency, or non-emergency, and connect us to the right agency that can provide assistance. Their calm collectedness and ability to help can make all the difference when you are in an emergency situation. I am grateful for the work they do 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep us all safe.
Remember, if you have an issue that is not an emergency, you can call 503-629-0111 to keep the phone lines clear for those 9-1-1 calls.
Home Plate Youth Services
Last Friday was a fun night for comedy, friends and supporting Home Plate Youth Services. A BIG congratulations and kudos to Bridget Calfee, Founder and Executive Director, for 19 years of listening, loyalty and love in serving our area's homeless youth.
Hillsboro School District Career and College Pathways
This week we celebrated the Hillsboro School District Career & College Pathways 10th Anniversary! It is hard to believe I've been a steering committee member since the beginning. An amazing school district + fab students + passionate educators + willing partners + supportive organizations = a recipe for success!
Learn more about Hillsboro School District's amazing Career and College Pathways program here.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
La Finquita del Buho
La Finquita Del Buho started their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) season as they always do, building comunidad¡ There was music, oven-fired pizza, a potluck, and goats. Tony and I are excited for our maiden voyage into fresh veggie goodness as official CSA 1/2 share members.
Finquita del Buho is located in Hillsboro. You can join too and sign up here: https://www.finquita.com/wordpress/
Community Outreach
Earth Day - Monday, April 22nd
Monday is Earth Day and this weekend there are many events around Portland that you can attend and help celebrate, and learn about ways to live more sustainably (see below for ideas). This day and every day, let's remember to take care of our planet, and protect it for generations to come.
There is no Planet B.
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PCC Spring Trades Career Fair
Looking for a job in the Trades? PCC Career Pathways & Step are hosting the Spring Trades Career Fair from 12:30 - 3:00 pm on Friday, April 26th at the PCC Willow Creek Opportunity Center. 241 SW Edgeway Drive, Hillsboro, 97006. Free Parking!
Over 50 employers in welding, machining, construction, facilities maintenance, HVAC, microelectronics, electrician, engineering, avionics, bioscience, semiconductor, water treatment, material handling, mechatronics, and more!
Bag&Baggage Theater
Looking for a fun activity this weekend? Bag&Baggage Productions, Hillsboro's professional theatre, has an incredible weekend of shows coming up! B&B's very own Scott Palmer, Founding Artistic Director, has written his first full length original play: Beauregard at Manassas! It is a powerful, timely, heartfelt and often hilarious story about family history, art, museums, the Civil War, and legacy. Only three more performances this weekend: April 19 at 7pm, April 20 at 7pm and April 21 at 2pm. Tickets on sale at www.bagnbaggage.org.
Family Justice Center of Washington County - Annual Denim and Diamonds Gala
Save the date for the Family Justice Center of Washington County's Annual Denim and Diamonds Gala. Saturday, May 18th at the Hillsboro Elks Club. Find more information and buy tickets here.
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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