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Welcome to the Health Promotion & Prevention Newsletter, released every two months by Marion County's Health Promotion & Prevention Team! In this newsletter, our team shares information, tips, news, and updates on community work being done to promote health and prevent disease in Marion County.
Click to go to the Community Health Survey
Help us spread awareness by sharing this newsletter with your friends and colleagues!
What's in this Edition: Table of Contents
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TRAININGS
- On Demand: The Science of ACEs & Toxic Stress (3-part Series)
- July 11: Healthy Connections to Overcome Addictions
- July 17: Culturally Informed Crisis Support Learning Community Series
- July 22: De-Escalation & Personal Safety Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
- August 5: National ACT Virtual Consultation Meetings
- August 15: ACT Psychiatric Care Provider Series: Updating SUD Care in the Age of Fentanyl and Stimulants
- August 22: LOCAL!! Becoming a Super Sibling
Additional trainings and education opportunities can be found below.
Know of another organization that provides great trainings and want to share with our network? Let us know at MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us.
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EVENTS & AWARENESS
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August 6th is National Night Out
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual campaign designed to strengthen community and neighborhood bonds. Many neighborhoods celebrate by hosting block parties on this date. Check with your local law enforcement, city, or county for information about local NNO events.
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The Englewood Forest Festival is August 10th
You don't want to miss this free local festival celebrating the arts, nature, and community. This is a family-friendly event with music, environmental non-profits organizations, and performances!
Click here to learn more about Englewood Forest Festival
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August 21st is National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is a coordinated day of action led by grassroots organizations and families affected by fentanyl. The goal is to educate the public about the dangers of illicit fentanyl.
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By Heidi Johnson, Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator
Marion and Polk Counties hosted a Healthy Choices High School Video Contest. This year, we expanded the project to include two new community partners, Capital Community Media and Salem Health. We received the most participation yet, with 13 videos from 3 different schools!
This year, we collaborated with Capital Community Media to offer a free, three-part free video production class series for high school aged youth. The workshops, taught by Community Educator, Luis Mendoza, covered storytelling, lighting, and editing, enabling students to create high-quality videos. After completing the workshops, participants could check out equipment and create their own videos. To learn more about available classes, visit to Capital Community Media.
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The creators of the top three winning videos, along with their teachers and families, were invited to a red-carpet event organized by Heidi Johnson (Marion County Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator) and Annie Buse (Polk County Substance Use & Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator). Sponsored by Salem Health, the event featured food and decorations and was hosted at Capital Community Media. The awards ceremony was filled with Oscar-themed décor and attire, cupcakes, and of course, popcorn.
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Following a viewing of their videos, winners were awarded trophies and prizes. First place: Overcoming by Eren M. and Hannah M. from McNary High School. Second place: Consequences by Freddy M., Kristina B., and Clayton D. from Silverton High School. Third place: Practice Your Pace by Mikey K., Garret C., Lucas P., and Phoenix O. from McNary High School.
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We want to express our gratitude to the participants of the video contest, their amazing teachers, and our partnering organizations. We could not have done this project without you.
You can watch all the video submissions on the Marion County Health Promotion & Prevention Youtube channel.
Be on the lookout for more information on the next High School Video Contest!
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By Diana Dickey, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
A new resource has launched in Oregon to support parents and caregivers with tools and information to talk with young people about fentanyl, counterfeit pills and the new chemical drug landscape. The New Drug Talk Oregon website offers various resources, including conversation guides, videos, where to find help locally, and more. Check out the site at The New Drug Talk Oregon.
Prepared by Kat Mullins, Community Health Improvement Coordinator
Do you live, work, or play in Marion or Polk County?
The Marion-Polk Community Health Collaborative, a group of local organizations, is excited to announce the launch of our community health survey and our Community Input Sessions.
The survey is designed to gather insights from everyone in our region on community health needs. The Community Input Sessions are multiple events throughout our region where community members can come together to share and discuss their thoughts on community health needs.
Please take the survey and if you can, attend a Community Input Session!
This is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Your input will impact improvements to health services and direct resources that affect the well-being of you, your family, and your community.
Results from the last survey and Community Input Sessions led to local health system partners investing over $10 million over the last four years into behavioral health and housing services.
For example, various local organizations, like Wisemind and Polk County Family & Community Outreach, received grant funding to expand access to mental health services for youth. Organizations, like Church at the Park, Salem for Refugees, and Sheltering Silverton, received grants to expand housing and resource navigation services.
Since then, we’ve seen many health and well-being improvements in Marion & Polk counties, including a decrease in suicide fatalities and an increase in mental health providers. Learn more about our health outcome indicators here.
By Patrick Hahn from Team Oregon, prepared by Sally Cook
Spring and summer remind us of travel, and May was Motorcycle Safety month! This summer, whether you're taking a road trip, sharing the road with motorcyclists, or attending a training class, safety is key. We invited Patrick Hahn from Team Oregon to answer our questions about motorcycle safety. Let’s learn how to be safe on Marion County roads, no matter how you travel.
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When do I need to wear a helmet and what about passengers? Do they need them too?
In Oregon, all riders and passengers are required to wear a motorcycle helmet with a DOT sticker. Moped riders too.
Why are motorcycles more likely to crash than cars?
Both hands, both feet and full attention are required to keep the motorcycle balanced and moving forward safely. Riding demands a lot of skill and attention. An inexperienced or aggressive rider can quickly lose control and crash. And because bikes are so much smaller than other vehicles, they are harder for other drivers to see, leading to plenty of “unforced errors.”
What can you do to lower your risk when you ride?
Safe riders focus 100% on the task at hand. They ride defensively and assume they are invisible to other drivers. Safe riders wear full protective gear – DOT helmet, jacket, long pants, boots and gloves to minimize injuries in a fall. A training course is also a great way to lower your risk – learn to handle the motorcycle in tricky situations without losing control. And a safe rider is alert to anything that can impair their judgement – alcohol and drugs for sure, but also fatigue, distraction, impatience, weather conditions, medications, etc.
How can you improve your skills on a motorcycle? And will that make you safer on the road?
Reading books about riding, and taking motorcycle safety classes (we have five different classes for experienced riders) can take your skills to a much higher level. As we say in the biz, “train at 100 percent; ride at 80.” This can make you safer on the road because you are “prepared for the worst.” Learn more here: https://team-oregon.org/training-courses/additional-training/.
How does Oregon weather impact motorcycles, and what do you need to look out for on the road?
Poor weather mostly affects visibility – making it harder for the rider to see and be seen. Rain can make the ground slippery, especially over painted markings, metal utility covers and railroad crossings. Cold and hot weather can be distracting to the rider without good riding gear. The biggest hazards to riders are other drivers at intersections, riders following other vehicles too closely, not looking far enough ahead, and curves. Yes, curves. We lose most of our riders in Oregon to curves. 100% attention, looking far ahead through the curve, maintaining a safe speed and riding unimpaired by drugs or alcohol are critical.
What about off-road riding, what do we need to know heading into summer?
Off-road riding is a whole different ballgame. Our friends at OPRD (Oregon Parks and Recreation) are the experts there. But I will say that off-road riding is a great way to enjoy this beautiful state of ours. Trail riding is good clean fun that thousands of families enjoy every weekend with their kids and grandkids. OPRD has a free safety course to learn about how to do it right. Learn more here: https://www.rideatvoregon.org/.
Anything else you want to let us know about?
The biggest safety issues in motorcycling are speed, alcohol, and curves. In that order. If you always ride sober, free of alcohol and drugs; if you always ride at the speed limit or a safe speed for the conditions; and if you know how to handle your bike in curves, and what to do if you get into a curve too fast, you’re well on your way to a lifetime of safe, enjoyable riding.
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See the included links for classes if you want to learn to ride or refresh your skills on a motorcycle:
https://team-oregon.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/policy/hi5/motorcycleinjury/index.html
Anthony Samples, Public Health intern
University: Oregon State University
Major/specialty: Public Health with Health Management and Policy specialty
What projects are you working on?
Anthony Samples, a United States Navy Veteran, is excited to spend his summer with the Environmental Health Resiliency Team. Using ArcGIS, Anthony will be mapping environmental health hazards and threats, such as extreme heat, extreme cold, and the health statuses for people exposed to these hazards. At OSU, Anthony serves as the treasurer of the Student Veterans Association and is an active member of the local Humanitarian Youth Mappers. He is thrilled to join the Marion County Prevention Team!
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In honor of pets being health heroes, the Prevention Team at Marion County Health and Human Services is highlighting their amazing pets.
This month we are sharing Heidi Johnson's pets, Sam (the best boy) and Callie (the prettiest cat). Sam's hobbies include fetching a ball and not dropping it, going on walks, and cuddles. Callie is very playful and enjoys lots of snuggling. She also likes to eat breakfast at 5am even if her humans would rather be sleeping.
Stay tuned for the rest of the teams amazing pets throughout 2024!
By Conor Foley, Chronic Disease Prevention Program Coordinator
In November 2021, the Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 878, which bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Washington County. This was the first ban of its kind in Oregon, following similar actions by nearly 400 localities and five states (Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island).
Since its adoption, the ordinance has faced legal challenges. On May 1, 2024, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision and upheld the ordinance. This brings the ordinance one step closer to being implemented, but is not likely the end of its legal journey.
Multnomah County passed a similar ban in December 2022, which is currently under a temporary stay by the Court of Appeals. The Oregon State Legislature introduced House Bill 3090 in the 2023 legislative session to enact a state-wide ban on the sale of flavored nicotine products, but it was not addressed before the session ended. Several cities across the state, including Salem, have passed resolutions urging the state legislature to continue working on a flavor ban in the 2025 session.
As of now, no jurisdiction in Oregon has implemented a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco or nicotine products, but this may soon change. To find out more about efforts to restrict flavored tobacco in Oregon, visit Flavors Hook Oregon Kids.
By Michael Keuler, Environmental Health Resiliency Coordinator
Is your city or organization interested in improving community forestry and green infrastructure? Two grant opportunities are available to improve tree canopy to help cool communities and improve health!
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Urban and Community Forestry Grant: Submission period July 1 – Sept 30, 2024. $10,000-$750,000 to advance equity, well-being, and resilience for all communities in Oregon by promoting investments in trees and green infrastructure. Eligible entities include Oregon local governments, universities, non-profits, community-based organizations, and tribal organizations.
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Community Green Infrastructure Grant: Opens soon. Funding for community green infrastructure projects, community green infrastructure economic development projects, native seed banks or nurseries, and green infrastructure master plans. Eligible organizations include public schools and colleges, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, non-profit manufactured home parks, federally recognized tribes, and watershed councils.
More current grant opportunities can be found here
By Michael Keuler, Environmental Health Resiliency Coordinator
High summer temperatures will soon be upon us. Keep yourself and your family safe! Temperatures above 90°F can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Find a cooling center and learn more at Heat.MCHealthy.net.
Kids resources: Prepare with Pedro has activity books, storybooks, games, and a TV show for elementary school kids. Visit redcross.org/pedro. |
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Resources to keep your family safe:
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Emergency Alerts: Be prepared! Sign up for Marion Polk Alerts.
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Help with Almost Anything: Need help with almost anything? Visit org or simply dial 2-1-1
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Emergency Housing & Resources: Help with emergency shelter, pay utilities, childcare, and more at org or 503-585-6232
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Home Energy Saving Incentives: Cooling, heating, and energy discounts and solutions for households of all incomes at org and oregon.gov/energy/incentives
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Mental Health & Suicide Crisis Line: Call 9-8-8 or visit org
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Facebook Updates: com/MarionCountyHealth
Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Stay informed.
Marion County Health Promotion & Prevention will highlight various programs and health topics in our upcoming newsletter to keep you informed about important health promotion issues. The newsletter will be released in the first week of September 2024. If there is a subject you would like us to cover, please let us know by emailed us at the address below.
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