BASIC CORRECTIONS FIREARMS

WORKGROUP MEETING

SCHEDULED

Notice of Scheduled Meeting

The DPSST Criminal Justice Moral Fitness Workgroup will meet at 9:00 am on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Julie Collinson at 503-510-5530 or .howald@dpsst.oregon.gov">jennifer.howald@dpsst.oregon.gov.

The meeting will be recorded and posted on the DPSST YouTube page after the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST

Agenda Items 

1.   Introductions

2.   Workgroup Purpose Overview

      Presented by DPSST Staff

3.   Review of the Current Firearms Training Requirements for the Basic Corrections Officer Training Curriculums

      Presented by DPSST Staff

4.   Unarmed and Armed Roles and Responsibilities for Corrections Officers

      Workgroup Member Discussion

5.   Statewide Needs and Impacts Related to Firearms Training as Academy Training versus Employer Training

      Workgroup Member Discussion

6.   Steps for Next Meeting

7.   Next Workgroup Meeting – November 21, 2024, at 8 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law. This meeting will be digitally recorded and posted on the DPSST YouTube page after the meeting. The meeting will also be recorded in the form of written minutes. Discussion of issues will only be conducted by workgroup members. Please be mindful of comments and side conversations.

State delivers on its ambitious priorities, surpassing nearly all goals

Statewide Housing Plan, Andrea Bell, sound bite

Salem, OR— Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) today announced monumental progress in improving housing outcomes for all Oregonians with the release of the final report on Oregon’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan (SWHP).

The five-year housing plan was launched in July 2019 with a bold, shared vision: to ensure every person across Oregon has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. In the report’s Letter from the Director, Andrea Bell says the agency and its partners exceeded many of the goals outlined in the plan’s six priorities while navigating economic uncertainties, devastating wildfires, and a global pandemic.

“Our shared progress is measured by more than numbers; it is measured by how many lives are better off because of our work,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Families who now have a place to grow and thrive, everyday working people who have found stability after years of uncertainty, and communities that are stronger because of historic increased housing opportunities – these are the true stories of Oregon’s progress.”

The past five years have been transformative for OHCS as it focused on its six priorities: equity and racial justice, homelessness, permanent supportive housing, affordable rental housing, homeownership, and rural communities.  

Picture above: 2019-24 Statewide Housing Plan priorities and numerical goals final results  

With equity and racial justice (ERJ) named as a priority and a guiding principle of OHCS in the SWHP, the agency has implemented several successful strategies that have led to ERJ work being front and center in our internal and external operations. One example is convening a Tribal Housing Workgroup to provide an opportunity for OHCS to regularly engage with Tribal leaders about new programs. OHCS recently contributed for the first time more than $1.5 million to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR) to fund the construction of six new homes at the Tipsu-ili'l development.  

Another priority the agency is reporting significant progress is in its work to prevent and end homelessness. It exceeded the goal of helping 86% of households served through programs aimed at preventing and ending homelessness stay stably housed for six months or longer. Part of this success is due to prioritizing permanent supportive housing (PSH). It is a proven model for housing people experiencing chronic homelessness, many of whom have complex needs, including mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic physical difficulties, alongside their experience of long-term homelessness. OHCS exceeded the goal of funding 1,000 PSH homes.    

Perhaps the boldest progress made is in tripling the previous work of the agency in the development or preservation of affordable rental housing. The agency exceeded the goal with 28,389 homes in the development pipeline. However, OHCS is going beyond its role of a Housing Finance Agency by not only increasing supply of affordable housing but finding innovative ways to make life easier for the residents. It is funding the co-location of affordable housing and childcare facilities to create more options for working parents. It is funding homes with solar panels to ease energy costs. And it is funding the expansion of modular homes in Oregon to quickly deliver needed housing.   

Another example of centering equity and racial justice is the agency surpassing the homeownership priority goal of doubling the number of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) homeowners. Through the state’s mortgage lending programs, OHCS and its partners have helped a total of 3,368 households become successful homeowners.

The report also highlights another priority: increasing affordable homes in rural areas of Oregon. OHCS used the state’s innovative equity-centered Local Innovative Fast Track (LIFT) funding approach to build more homes in rural communities. As a result, OHCS surpassed the rural housing goal by increasing the funding of affordable housing development in rural areas by 75%.  

"Since day one, I have been laser focused on our homelessness and housing crisis, championing bold proposals to build more housing, rehouse our neighbors, prevent homelessness before it happens, and expand access to homeownership," Governor Kotek said. "The work is far from done, but the outcomes in this report are a proof point that we can deliver results when we make a plan with clear metrics and work together. I look forward to continuing this work alongside OHCS to ensure every Oregonian has a safe, affordable place to call home."

“We are just getting started. As we look to the future, more work lies ahead of us. The lessons learned from the Statewide Housing Plan are already informing the next steps in Oregon’s housing progress, including our 2025-2027 Agency Request Budget. We are building on our collaborative success, helping to establish new and strengthen existing partnerships, and expanding our efforts to protect and further advance equitable housing stability across Oregon.”

The final report as well as other SWHP-related reports are available on the OHCS website.  

El comunicado de prensa en español 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NAMES FORMER SPORTS EXECUTIVE AS CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Traci Reandeau Brings Lessons Learned from the Portland Trail Blazers and KEEN to a Foundation Growing Its Impact Across Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Community Foundation has named Traci Reandeau as its new Chief People Officer, responsible for leading organizational culture across 5 offices and 8 regions of the state. Reandeau is a seasoned human resource professional with more than 35 years of experience in creating great places to work with exceptional brands, including the Portland Trail Blazers and KEEN.

The CPO is a new position on the Executive Team at Oregon Community Foundation, a reflection of the organization’s increased capacity and impact in recent years. Last year, OCF and its donors distributed $225 million in grants and scholarships to communities, nonprofits and Tribes working in all 36 counties of Oregon. It was OCF’s broadest effort yet to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. That impact is expected to grow in the coming years. 

“Traci’s blend of wisdom and practicality, enthusiasm for both boldness and the gritty work of change, and her obvious spirit of kindness and respect are traits that will move our organization forward,” said OCF President and CEO Lisa Mensah. “This search process has allowed me to think deeply about the operational needs of our foundation and the team that will best help us achieve the success we all desire in the years to come.”

Most recently, Traci Reandeau served as the VP of Global People and Culture for KEEN/Fuerst Group, where she helped successfully grow the brand to more than 350 employees. The Fuerst Group, including KEEN, Chrome, and fully owned factories and a distribution center, grew to more than 2,300 total employees during her 11-year tenure. Prior to KEEN, she was the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at the Portland Trail Blazers, where she spent 18 years building and professionalizing the core functions of HR as the workforce grew.

“I am thrilled to join the Oregon Community Foundation as the Chief People Officer,” Reandeau said. “Together, we will foster an inclusive and vibrant culture that empowers our team and strengthens our communities. I look forward to collaborating with such passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference and being a part of the continued growth of OCF internally and externally.”

Traci was born and raised in Clatskanie, Oregon and is a proud graduate of the University of Portland. A lifelong advocate of volunteerism, Traci was awarded the Woman of Spirit award for her work in the community in 2007. She is a current member of the board of directors for Albina Head Start, where she has served for more than 20 years. Past community service includes volunteering as a reader for SMART and board member for both Camber Outdoors and Open Meadow Alternative Schools. Traci enjoys traveling, cooking, wine tasting, sports and Oregon’s many outdoor activities. Read more here.

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF strengthens communities in every county in Oregon through grantmaking, scholarships and research. In 2023, OCF distributed $225 million in grants and scholarships. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit oregoncf.org. 

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SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites business, industry, and government leaders to join the final session of the global 2024 Public-Private Partnership Security and Resilience Seminar Series, titled “Emerging Cybersecurity Threats: Preparing for the Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence,” on Thursday, October 10, at 9 am PT. This 90-minute session is open to participants from around the world and will provide expert insights into the ethical, secure, and effective integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within organizations, highlighting the challenges, risks, and strategies to mitigate cybersecurity threats.

This final session will feature perspectives from key experts in both government and private sectors, offering in-depth exploration into the evolving risks associated with AI. Attendees will learn about the managerial and security considerations needed to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information from the malicious use of AI.

Featured Speakers Include:

Andrew A. Bochman — Senior Grid Strategist and Infrastructure Defender at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Bochman advises U.S. and international leaders on grid security and climate resilience. He is the author of Countering Cyber Sabotage (2021) and the forthcoming Defending Civilization (2025). Bochman is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Michael K. Hamilton — Founder of Critical Insight, Hamilton provides cybersecurity services for local governments, healthcare, and critical sectors. A former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the City of Seattle, Hamilton was named CISO of the Year at the 2021 RSA Conference. He also chairs the PISCES project, which offers no-cost cyber monitoring for small governments while training future cybersecurity analysts.

Sean McSpaden — Principal Legislative IT Analyst at the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office, McSpaden has over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity across various sectors. He serves on Oregon's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and represents the state on the NCSL Taskforce on AI, Cybersecurity, and Privacy.

This seminar series is sponsored by the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM), in collaboration with OEM, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Albertsons Companies. The series has featured volunteer speakers with direct experience in business security and resilience, providing valuable knowledge to help organizations prepare for emerging threats.

Registration Information:

To register for this session, click here. For additional details or questions, contact aining@ghinternational.com">training@ghinternational.com.

Previous Sessions:

For recordings of Sessions 1, 2, and 3 of the 2024 Public-Private Partnership Security and Resilience Seminar Series, click here. You can also access recordings from the 2023 PSPRS Mass Casualty Impacts and Recovery Seminar Series here. 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Elizabeth Burtner, cell 509-975-6882, urtner@columbiabasin.edu">eburtner@columbiabasin.edu

Columbia Basin College Announces Fall Enrollment 

Pasco, WA, October 3, 2024, - Columbia Basin College (CBC) proudly announces that its full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment for fall 2024 has reached 6,013, marking an impressive increase of 11% from last year’s 5,413. With an estimated headcount projected to reach 8,400—including apprenticeships—this represents a notable rise from the 7,659 students enrolled in fall 2023.

“This continued growth in enrollment highlights our commitment to providing quality education and transforming student lives,” said Cheryl Holden, Vice President for Student Services. “We’re excited to welcome new students and support them in their academic journeys.”

CBC is an open access campus serving the Benton and Franklin counties. We offer 100+ degree and certificate programs, and 9 bachelors degrees. We are a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2014, providing access to education for all students in our community. Get your start with CBC today. For more information, please visit columbiabasin.edu.

For questions, please email Elizabeth Burtner, AVP for Marketing & Outreach at urtner@columbiabasin.edu">eburtner@columbiabasin.edu.

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Columbia Basin College (CBC) is a public community college serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities since 1955. CBC’s mission is to inspire, educate, and support all students in an environment of academic excellence leading to the completion of degrees, certifications, and educational transfers, while fostering meaningful employment, engaged citizenship, and a life-long joy of learning. CBC offers both two and four-year degrees and one-year Certificates. Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are offered in Applied Management, Applied Management in Agriculture or Healthcare Administration, Cyber Security, Dental Hygiene, Information Technology, Health Physics, Teacher Education and Project Management. CBC also offers a Bachelor of 

SALEM, Ore. – The Black Historic Resources in Oregon, 1788-2002 Multiple Property Submission and an update to the Hannah and Eliza Gorman House designation in Corvallis are the newest of Oregon’s entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the submission at their June 2024 meeting.

Black Historic Resources in Oregon, 1788-2002, Multiple Property Document (MPD), provides an expansive history of African Americans in Oregon beginning with the first known Black person to have set foot on Oregon’s land and ending with the removal of race-related language from Oregon’s constitution. By mapping the people and the places associated with Black history in Oregon across more than two centuries, this document demonstrates that Black Oregonians had, and continue to have, a unique and significant role in the history of the state.

This document provides an overview of the history of African Americans in Oregon through six different historical contexts and establishes a framework for identifying and listing Oregon’s African American resources in the National Register of Historic Places. This thematic document provides information and structure for individuals interested in listing properties significant in Black history in the National Register. For information about this document or if you would like to learn more about how to use this document, please contact Caitlyn Abrahms at RAHMS@oprd.oregon.gov">Caitlyn.ABRAHMS@oprd.oregon.gov

Thematic Contexts discussed in the document include:

Submitted with the MPD is an update to the nomination for the Hannah and Eliza Gorman House property in Corvallis. This amendment discusses the archaeological significance of the site and its potential to yield significant information about the lives of Oregon’s early Black pioneer residents, women in particular, during the non-Native settlement period and the era of exclusion laws. 

This project is the result of several years of outreach and documentation through a partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and Oregon Black Pioneers. SHPO received funding through an Underrepresented Communities Grant from the National Park Service and Oregon Cultural Trust funds.

The University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History joined the project to coordinate and collaborate with Oregon Black Pioneers and Moreland Resource Consulting LLC to draft the complex document. Additional authors include Kimberly S. Moreland, Christopher Ruiz, Ann Craig, Ishalom Keren, Jessica Engeman, Milo Reed, and Erik Hovmiller.

The inclusion of this document in the National Register of Historic Places supports the goals of the Oregon Historic Preservation Plan. “Working hand-in-hand the community whose story is told in this document reinforced for us how was critical partnerships are to the success of historic preservation work in Oregon.” noted Chrissy Curran, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. “This is another step forward in acknowledging Oregon’s diverse history.”

This document pairs nicely with the African American Resources in Portland, Oregon, from 1851 to 1973 MPD at that was accepted in 2020. Several properties have been listed using this tool since its submission including: Dean’s Beauty Salon and Barbershop, Golden West Hotel, Mallory Avenue Christian Church, Mt Olivet Baptist Church, Williams Avenue YWCA (also known as the Billy Webb Elks Lodge). This new MPD expands similar possibilities throughout the state. 

The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Properties listed in the National Register are:

• Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
• Considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects;
• Eligible for federal and state tax benefits;
• Able to apply for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
• Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
• Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.

State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; the decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings are online at oregonheritage.org (under the heading “Designate”).

(Salem) – Jose Armani Ayala Barboza, age 8, Jailyne Ayala Barboza, age 5, and Dolce Ayala Barboza, age 5, went missing with their mother Sara Barboza from Bend on Oct. 2. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division believes that the Barboza siblings may be at risk and is searching for them to assess their safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find the Barboza siblings. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of them, Sara Barboza or Francisco Guzman should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). 

They are believed to be traveling towards Southern California or Mexico. They may also be traveling with Francisco Guzman or Juan Carlos Ayala Ramirez. Sara Barboza is known to also go by Sara Ayala. 

Name: Jose Armani Ayala Barboza
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: April 9, 2016
Height: 39 pounds
Weight: 47 inches
Hair: Blackish brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: He is petite for his age and goes by Armani.

Name: Jailyne Ayala Barboza
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Nov. 1, 2018
Height: 43 inches
Weight: 36 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown

Name: Dolce Ayala Barboza 
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Sept. 19, 2019
Height: 41 inches
Weight: 37 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown 

Bend Police Department Case # 2024-00058272
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2033233

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Media Hotline: 503-813-6018  

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 4, 2024) — In response to a mutual assistance request from Georgia Power, Pacific Power is sending crews, support personnel and equipment from Medford, Bend, Roseburg, Astoria and Grants Pass in Oregon and Walla Walla and Yakima in Washington to aid in power restoration efforts following the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm, with sustained winds reaching 140 miles per hour, impacted 10 states, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that its effects extended as far as 400 miles from its landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. 

These teams, totaling 22 Pacific Power employees, will be equipped with 20 trucks and associated heavy equipment to help restore power to impacted communities. Rocky Mountain Power, Pacific Power’s sister company, is also deploying four additional crews to aid in the response.

"Our crews are fully prepared and ready to respond as they work tirelessly through the deployment to restore power to customers in Georgia and to support our fellow line-crews across the affected states," said Tom Eide, vice president of operations at Pacific Power. "Disasters can happen anywhere, and part of being a good neighbor is answering the call to help.” 

Pacific Power is part of a nationwide network of utilities that provide mutual assistance during emergencies and disasters. According to the Edison Electric Institute, approximately 50,000 electric utility workers from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are currently responding to the devastation left in Hurricane Helene’s wake. While power has been restored to 4.69 million of the 6 million customers affected, some areas have experienced such extreme infrastructure damage that a complete rebuild is required. 

For more information on Pacific Power’s involvement in the recovery efforts, please follow us on social media.  

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net.     

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Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation (Kalispel Tribe of Indians). The grant allocates $610,000 to respond to and prevent sexual assault. 

In announcing this award, U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “This latest grant award demonstrates the federal government’s continued commitment to combatting sexual violence, including within Tribal communities in Eastern Washington, which disproportionately impacts women and vulnerable populations. Victims of sexual assault deserve to live in a world where they feel safe – free from abuse and the fear of abuse.” 

With this funding, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians will hire one full-time sexual assault advocate to provide crisis intervention, emergency services, advocacy, and referrals. The Kalispel Tribe also will use the grant award to manage an emergency hotline as well develop materials to provide resources and support to survivors of sexual assault. 

“The Kalispel Tribe is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people and our community,” says Kalispel Vice Chair and Executive Director of Kalispel Casino & Government Affairs, Curt Holmes. “We have invested in a robust Victim Assistance Services program for the past 21 years. This grant funding will allow us to add much needed additional staff as we serve approximately 760 victims each year. Not only do we serve tribal members and non-tribal members, we are also a frequent referral source for law enforcement agencies, other victim service providers, and social service agencies in both Spokane and Pend Oreille Counties. As the need in our community continues to grow, the Kalispel Tribe is committed to providing victims with valuable resources in an effort to break the cycle of violence.”

Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services (“KTVAS”) provides services throughout Pend Oreille County, including the Ione and Metaline Falls areas, and Spokane Counties, including the West Plains Region of Cheney, Airway Heights, and the US Airforce Base at Fairchild. KTVAS also serves Kalispel Tribal Members and Members from all other Tribes, as they are the only Tribal Victim Service program on the east side of the State that provides culturally specific services to all Native Americans.

Funding for the $610,000 grant was awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program. The program supports projects to create, maintain and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by tribes, tribal organizations, and nonprofit tribal organizations within Indian country and Alaska Native villages. 

Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the City of Yakima. The grant allocates $353,998 to combat domestic violence. The grant was awarded on September 13, 2024. 

Funding for the grant was awarded by The Office on Violence Against Women, Fiscal Year 2024 Enhancing Investigation and Prosecution of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative. This initiative encourages law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices to expand and improve their capacity to effectively investigate and prosecute domestic violence, support victim safety, and hold offenders accountable. 

The project description for the $353,998 grant awarded to the City of Yakima says the funds will be used by the City of Yakima, Washington, in partnership with the YWCA Yakima, to provide a victim advocate, identify high risk cases for referral to the Domestic Violence High Risk Team, provide more resources for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and provide training for officers and prosecutors to recognize and address bias about victims of domestic violence. 

“Supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and holding individuals accountable who perpetrate this violence is critical to building safer and strong communities. This award demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to working with law enforcement and community partners to fund critical services to assist sexual assault survivors, protect victims of crime, amplify their voices, and to seek justice on behalf of all citizens in Eastern Washington,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. 

“The City of Yakima Prosecution Division is excited for the opportunity to enhance domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking prosecution efforts, including victim advocacy services through our partnership with YWCA Yakima, and supported by the grant resources provided by the Office on Violence Against Women,” said City Prosecutor Cynthia Martinez. “The Prosecution Division, Yakima Law Enforcement, and our community partners, including the YWCA Yakima, are committed to holding offenders accountable, supporting victims and their children in their efforts to remain safe, and eliminating bias at all levels in the City of Yakima criminal justice system. The Prosecution Division welcomes this opportunity to expand and improve our current service delivery for the City of Yakima.” 

Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://www.ojp.gov.  Information regarding the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence against Women is available at https://www.justice.gov/ovw.

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule
 

Astoria, Ore.—More than 400 students received hands-on experience and a broad firsthand look at possible career opportunities in natural resources as they rotated around nine outdoor stations at the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Astoria office and demonstration forest Sept. 25–26 at the annual Clatsop County Sixth-Grade Forestry Days.

“Our goal is to provide educational opportunities beyond the classroom,” said Will Lawrence, a reforestation forester with ODF’s Astoria District. “We want students to really connect with the outdoor experience and get them thinking about a possible career working in the outdoors.”

Sixth graders from Warrenton, Seaside, Anchor Christian Academy, Knappa, Astoria, and Encore Academy, as well as several home school groups, rotated for about 15 minutes each at stations that included: tree planting, wildland fire fighting, wood products, fisheries, recreation, tree identification, wildlife rescue, mushrooms and tree measurements.

“We love this once-a-year event because we get to share our passion and our joy discussing everything about nature,” said Dan Stark, Oregon State University Extension Service forester for Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln Counties. “Actually, being in the forest here has its perks—they can touch and feel a seedling, take a shovel and plant it in the ground, then talk about all the benefits of trees from producing oxygen to all the everyday products that come from the forest.”

Stark, Lawrence, and Jenny Johnson of Oregon Women In Timber helped lead this all-volunteer event with a planning and execution group that included not only ODF and OSU but Oregon Parks and Recreation, Clatsop County Fisheries, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Wildlife Center of the North Coast, Oregon Women in Timber – Talk About Trees, Hampton Lumber, North Coast Watershed Association as well other local volunteers.  

Forestry Days has been a tradition for more than 60 years and even though the organizations sponsoring and organizing the event hope to someday recruit motivated and eager employees spurred on by this event, the focus remains on the student’s educational experience.

“This gets our students in a whole different environment outside of the classroom,” said O’Brien Starr-Hollow, a sixth-grade teacher in the Warrenton school district. “It helps them put all the pieces together—whether it’s using a firefighting hose, planting a tree, or learning where their toilet paper comes from it gives them a better understanding and sense of the importance of the forest and this community’s relationship with natural resources.”

Although this event is just two days, the ODF Astoria Demonstration Forest is open year round and more information can be found in the Clatsop State Forest Guide.

Visit the Oregon Department of Forestry’s main website for more information on many forestry related programs from recreation to timber harvesting to wildland firefighting. The partner organizations also have a vast wealth of information on their websites.

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reopening the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) online application portal to accept final applications directly from homeowners. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. New applications will be put on a waitlist and prioritized for homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or loss. 

Homeowners can now review application criteria and apply directly online using a link on the HAF website: oregonhomeownerassistance.org. If homeowners need or would like assistance with an application, they can contact a HAF intake partner. A list of intake partners can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.

“OHCS is reopening the online application portal through Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure we help as many Oregon families as possible,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “With our average award of $26,500, we can assist approximately 250 additional households. Any further applications will be placed on a waitlist pending the availability of funds.”  

HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 pandemic relief to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. HAF can help homeowners become current on their mortgages, county taxes, homeowners’ (HOA) or condo associations, land sale contracts, secured manufactured home or floating home loans, and lot rent or moorage fees associated with homeowners in manufactured home parks or marinas. Financial hardship includes a reduction in income or an increase in housing costs resulting from the pandemic.

Homeowners are eligible to apply if they meet the program’s general eligibility criteria and are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, in collections with their HOA, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor. Homeowners in foreclosure may have already received outreach letters from OHCS or their county assessor. 

OHCS will make its final HAF payments in February 2025, limiting total assistance available to new applicants. OHCS encourages homeowners to explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed. HAF is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

4 de octubre de 2024  

El Fondo de Asistencia para Propietarios de Vivienda del Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregon esta aceptando solicitudes finales por internet

SALEM, Oregon – El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregon (OHCS, por sus siglas en ingles) esta reabriendo el portal de solicitud en línea del Fondo de Asistencia para Propietarios de Vivienda (HAF, por sus siglas en ingles). Esto permitirá que la agencia acepte las solicitudes para el programa directamente de los propietarios de vivienda. Las solicitudes se deben presentar hasta el 31 de octubre del 2024. Las nuevas solicitudes se incluirán en una lista de espera y se dará prioridad a los propietarios de viviendas con mayor riesgo de una ejecución hipotecaria o pérdida de su hogar.

Los propietarios de viviendas pueden consultar los criterios de elegibilidad y presentar su solicitud directamente en línea a través de un enlace en el sitio web del programa: oregonhomeownerassistance.org. Si los propietarios necesitan o desean ayuda con una solicitud, pueden ponerse en contacto con un asesor de vivienda de HAF. Puede encontrar una lista de asesores de vivienda en https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.

“OHCS está reabriendo el portal de solicitud en línea hasta el 31 de octubre de 2024, para asegurar que ayudamos a tantas familias de Oregón como sea posible”, dijo Ryan Vanden Brink, subdirector de Programas de Asistencia a Propietarios de Viviendas. “Con la asistencia promedio de $26,500, podemos ayudar a aproximadamente 250 hogares adicionales. Cualquier otra solicitud se colocará en una lista de espera en caso de que haya fondos disponibles”. 

El programa temporal ofrece ayuda hipotecaria federal para ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas que experimentaron dificultades financieras debido a la pandemia. HAF puede ayudar a los propietarios de vivienda a ponerse al día con sus hipotecas, impuestos del condado, asociaciones de propietarios (HOA, por sus siglas en ingles) o condominios, contratos de venta de terrenos, préstamos garantizados para casas prefabricadas o casas flotantes, y alquiler de lotes o cuotas asociadas con los propietarios de viviendas en parques de casas prefabricadas o puertos. Las dificultades financieras incluyen una reducción de los ingresos o un aumento de los costos de la vivienda como consecuencia de la pandemia. 

Los propietarios son elegibles para llenar una solicitud si cumplen con los criterios generales de elegibilidad del programa y enfrentan una ejecución hipotecaria, están involucrados en un caso judicial que amenaza su casa, en la ejecución de impuestos de propiedad, en colecciones con su HOA, o en otras situaciones de alto riesgo identificados por un asesor de vivienda. Es posible que los propietarios en proceso de ejecución hipotecaria ya hayan recibido cartas de OHCS o del asesor de su condado. 

OHCS hará sus últimos pagos de HAF en febrero de 2025, limitando la asistencia total disponible para nuevos solicitantes. OHCS anima a los propietarios a explorar todas las demás opciones con su administrador de hipoteca o un asesor de vivienda antes de solicitar HAF. Llenar una solicitud para HAF no garantiza que sea aprobada o que una ejecución hipotecaria se pospondrá. HAF es administrado por el Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos.

Acerca del Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregon (OHCS) 

OHCS es la agencia de financiación de viviendas de Oregón. La agencia estatal proporciona apoyo financiero y de programas para crear y preservar oportunidades de vivienda a precio asequible y de calidad para los habitantes de Oregón con ingresos bajos y moderados. OHCS administra programas que proporcionan estabilización de la vivienda. OHCS ofrece estos programas principalmente a través de subvenciones, contratos y acuerdos de préstamo con organizaciones locales y proveedores comunitarios. Para obtener más información, visite: oregon.gov/ohcs.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Telecommunications Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on November 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Oregon Public Safety Academy located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training will be live streaming all public meetings via YouTube. Meetings will no longer be streamed on Facebook. To view the Telecommunications Policy Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 7, 2024, Meeting Minutes

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

     Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

     a. Pauline Lynch; DPSST No. 25464

     Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Telecommunicator and Basic Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

4. Scott Karr; DPSST NO. 38369; Bay Cities Ambulance

     Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

5. Agency Updates

6. Next Telecommunications Policy Committee Meeting: February 5, 2025, at 9:00a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Telecommunications Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

The Oregon State Marine Board invites recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work to gather and engage with staff in a city near you. To better understand the needs of boaters around the state and gather input on the agency’s direction, staff are hosting five statewide meetings from mid-October through mid-November. 

These meetings are intended to build relationships with local recreational boaters, share information about the agency's work and where recreational boating dollars go in local communities, and assess future needs. Staff will also be available to answer questions about boating safety, agency policies, plans, regulatory considerations, grants, boating access, revenues and expenditures, safety education, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and environmental topics.

Open house schedule timeframes differ by location and are indicated below:

For information about the Marine Board, and the agency and its programs for recreational boaters, visit Boat.Oregon.gov. Visit the agency’s legislative concept page for more information and the open house schedule 

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MEDFORD, Ore.—A New York man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for traveling to Southern Oregon to sexually abuse a child and capturing the abuse on video.   

Brent Johnson, Jr., 26, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. 

According to court documents, in August 2021, Johnson contacted a child through an online video game and, after exchanging phone numbers with the child, continued communicating with them via text messages and phone calls. Undeterred by the child’s age, in late 2021, Johnson traveled to Southern Oregon where he sexually abused the child and captured the abuse on video. In February 2022, the child’s mother contacted law enforcement after receiving text messages and images from Johnson.

On May 5, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Johnson with sexually exploiting a child, distributing child pornography, and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

On June 26, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Long Island, New York, and Medford, and the Rogue River Police Department. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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Salem, OR—Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns in 2025 will have the option to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns using the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue announced today.

“The Direct File Program is a game-changer for taxpayers,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “This free filing option is an equitable opportunity to save Oregonians time and money, regardless of their income."

The IRS and US Treasury Department announced an expansion of the types of returns that can be filed using IRS Direct File beyond what was available in the pilot program during the 2024 tax filing season. 

During the pilot last year, IRS Direct File covered limited tax situations, including wage income reported on a W-2 form, Social Security income, unemployment compensation and certain credits and deductions. For the 2025 filing season, IRS Direct File will support Forms 1099 for interest income greater than $1,500, retirement income and the Form 1099 for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. (See the attached graphic for more on who will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025.)

In the 2024 tax season, more than 140,000 taxpayers in 12 states filed their federal tax returns using the limited pilot program while nearly 7,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns using the free, state-only Direct File Oregon option.

The IRS estimates that 30 million US taxpayers will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025, including 640,000 Oregon taxpayers who will be able to e-file both their federal and state returns for free.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in May that it would make IRS Direct File a permanent option for taxpayers and invited all 50 states to participate to create a seamless free filing system for both federal and state taxes. Oregon was the first of 12 new states to accept the invitation from the IRS in June.

“Connecting Direct File Oregon with the IRS Direct File option beginning next year will give Oregon taxpayers a seamless way to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns—and do both for free,” Oregon Department of Revenue Director Betsy Imholt said.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Hotline: 503-813-6018  

Newsroom 

New Pacific Power grants available to help electric mobility projects in Washington 

YAKIMA, Wash. (Oct 3, 2024) — In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Pacific Power has announced available grant funding for electric mobility projects in named communities in Washington. Funding awards can cover up to 100% of the eligible costs associated with studying, planning, promoting or deploying electric transportation technology and projects.  

The grants aim to support projects that promote transportation electrification in communities, particularly those with limited public charging options. Recipients will take the lead on these projects, overseeing design, implementation, project management, equipment purchasing and installation, operations and maintenance, awareness initiatives, and data collection and transfer to Pacific Power. 

Applications are due by October 31, 2024. Find more details at PacificPower.net/EV-grants. 

Additionally, the technical assistance program is designed to support non-residential customers in their transition to electric vehicles. The program will help you evaluate your options and costs with an on-site feasibility analysis and/or customized technical fleet advising. Pacific Power aims to provide the necessary guidance and resources to facilitate a smooth and efficient shift towards sustainable transportation solutions.  

"Pacific Power is dedicated to achieving a sustainable future for our state. We are committed to supporting our diverse communities in Washington by offering programs and options that enable access to clean transportation benefits, helping to reduce environmental footprints and improve air quality, said Kate Hawley of Pacific Power. “We aim to minimize barriers and offer easier and affordable ways to make the switch to electric vehicles.” 

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About Pacific Power 

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net. 

SALEM, Ore. — The Regional Forest Practice Committee for eastern Oregon will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the ODF Northeast Oregon District office, 611 20th Street, La Grande. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please email estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov. 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Division updates
• Operator of the Year discussion and voting
• Forest Practice Technical Guidance (FPTG) development
• E-Notification System (FERNS) changes
• Forest resources training strategy
• Compliance monitoring update

The public may attend in-person or online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by emailing estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law – that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. In 1971, the legislature enacted Oregon’s Forest Practices Act which includes three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the state. Under Oregon law, a majority of the committees’ members must be private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

Oregon’s forests are among the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits. View more information on the RFPC webpage.

REPORT ALSO AVAILABLE HERE

Introduction

From April 29 to May 20, 2024, the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) conducted a statewide survey of Oregonians’ values, beliefs, and experiences relating to public education priorities and planning. The research was conducted to support Foundations for a Better Oregon and its mission to advance Oregon’s commitment to supporting every child to learn, grow, and thrive.

The question numbers in this document correspond with the accompanying annotated questionnaire and tabs. Due to rounding, percentages reported may not add up to 100% or exactly match the percentages for the same question in the annotated questionnaire and tabs.

Selected questions include noteworthy subgroup variations such as age, gender, area of the state, and racial/ethnic identity. The cross tabulations report subgroup variations for all questions.

OVBC surveys currently use aggregate data to analyze the opinions of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) compared to those who identify as white and no other race. Of course, BIPOC residents are not monolithic; this grouping encompasses myriad races and ethnicities. Thus, these findings should not be taken to imply that all people of color share the same opinions. Disaggregated race/ethnicity data are made available when sample sizes permit reliability.

For the full wording of survey questions, all statistically significant subgroup findings, and respondent quotes, please refer to the accompanying documents: 1) annotated questionnaire; 2) cross tabulations; and 3) verbatim written responses spreadsheet (on request).

Noteworthy Trends

Two data trends stand out as particularly significant in this survey. The first is Oregonians’ remarkable level of agreement regarding the questions and issues fielded in this survey. Historical data—including OVBC surveys dating back to 1992—consistently shows a strong consensus among Oregonians regarding the value of public education, transcending typical demographic and psychographic divisions. Even so, this survey finds agreement frequently rising above 80% and even 90%, revealing an especially high level of public alignment. Even statements with a comparatively lower level of agreement, such as Q4 at 73%, still exceed the 60% threshold normally considered pivotal by political strategists when evaluating the potential success of ballot measures.

The second noteworthy trend is respondents’ unusually low level of uncertainty. Opinion research—again including previous OVBC studies—traditionally shows a “don’t know” or “unsure” response rate of around 10%. In this survey, all but two questions elicited a “don’t know” response rate below 10%, with many questions registering rates as low as 3% or below. Given that this survey’s questions were not highly technical, the low level of uncertainty indicates the respondents’ strong convictions and personal investment in their answers.

Values and Priorities for K-12 Education

(GRAPH ATTACHED IN 2 PARTS: Q3-12 Graph pt1 & pt. 2)

When considering the values and priorities that guide K–12 education, Oregonians overwhelmingly share an overarching view that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserve access to well-rounded and rigorous learning opportunities, as well as safe and inclusive learning environments.

• 92% of survey respondents agree that it is important to provide rich academic experiences to all students, fully including those experiencing a disability (Q11), and 90% agree that schools should support students’ health, safety, and belonging (Q3).
• 93% agree that it is important to provide students a well-rounded education, including world languages, arts, civics, physical education, and life skills (Q8), and 92% believe schools should give students from all backgrounds equal access to advanced courses (Q7). 94% also agree that students, communities, and businesses all benefit when education includes hands-on learning with STEM, the arts, and career and technical education (Q9).
• 90% agree that smaller class sizes are better for students and educators (Q5), and 92% agree on the value of giving students strong support during the transition from middle to high school (Q6).

Although agreement levels are slightly lower, a strong majority of respondents agree on the need to work toward ending academic disparities so that students of all backgrounds can succeed (83%, Q10). Further, 77% agree that all students are better served when schools implemented targeted strategies to support historically underserved students (Q12). Finally, a significant majority favor increasing instructional time for K–12 students (73%, Q4).

• Regardless of urban/rural divides, race/ethnicity, area of the state, the presence of children in the household, and connection to the education field, many Oregonians hold similar views on ending academic disparities (Q10).
• Democrats (60%), respondents earning less than $25,000 (53%), those who speak a first language other than English (53%), people with a high school diploma or less (52%), women (51%), people ages 18–29 (51%), BIPOC respondents (50%), and people connected to the education field (50%) are among those most likely to strongly favor targeted strategies supporting historically underserved students (Q12).

Public Perceptions of K-12 Improvement

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q13 Graph)

Respondents are more divided—or uncertain—about whether Oregon schools and school districts are taking steps to become stronger and make better use of their  resources: 48% agree that they are, while 35% disagree and 17% don’t know (Q13).

• Respondents are divided by age range and education level. 29% of those who are 18–29 agree with the statement, compared to only 13% of those who are 55–64, 7% of those who are 65–74, and 11% of those 75 and over. Of those with a high school graduation or less, 28% strongly agree compared to only 11% of those with a four-year degree or higher.
• Respondents with children in their household are also more likely to generally agree that K-12 schools are taking steps to improve (54%), and less likely to say they don’t know (10%). Meanwhile, respondents without children in their household are somewhat less likely to generally agree with the statement (45%), and more likely to say they don’t know (20%).

K-12 Planning, Improvement, and Accountability Strategies

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q14-17 Graph)

At the state level, respondents indicated high levels of support for education policies that recognize how rural communities differ from urban and suburban communities (81%, Q14); make it easier for districts to serve students and families even if that requires streamlining state or federal requirements or programs (71%, Q15); ensure schools rely on community knowledge and partnerships to give students from all backgrounds a quality education (84%, Q16); and make sure districts set clear plans and budgets for school improvement (88%, Q17).

• While overall support for Q14 is high and nearly equal across urban, suburban, and rural respondents, the highest level of strong support is seen among respondents in areas that are rural (53%) or rural changing to suburban (57%). There is also higher strong support among people ages 55–64 (52%), 65–74 (54%), and 75+ (56%).

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q18-22 Graph)

When considering long-term planning for schools, Oregonians show strong enthusiasm for setting ambitious yet realistic goals for academic progress and outcomes (65% strongly support) as well as for reviewing whether school districts and charter schools are reaching their goals over the next five years (58% strongly support) (Q18–Q22).

• To a lesser degree, Oregonians strongly support school leaders using evidence-based best practices to inform their planning (55% strongly support), and school districts and charter schools being held accountable for meeting their goals over the next five years (55% strongly support). The overall support level remains high for every initiative presented in Q1–Q22.
• Amid high levels of support for every listed initiative, Oregonians are least enthusiastic about using detailed student data—academic data broken down by race or family income, for example—to inform long-term planning for schools (17% at least somewhat oppose).

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q23-24 Graph)

Most Oregonians consider access to clear and transparent district and charter school plans and budgets important (92% consider it at least somewhat important). They similarly value evidence that school leaders are equitably allocating public funds to enhance education for all students (89% answering at least somewhat important). Only a small fraction (less than one-tenth) of Oregonians regard these concepts as unimportant (Q23–Q24).

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q25-29 Graph)

When it comes to addressing challenges in schools and school districts, respondents clearly prioritize dynamic and supportive interventions by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). The most favored approach is providing more support and assistance to struggling schools and districts, with 43% ranking this as their top choice (average score of 2.07). Close behind, 27% of Oregonians prefer balancing the right amount of challenges and support to improve struggling schools and districts, ranking this approach as their first choice (average score of 2.23) (Q25–Q29).

• In contrast, punitive measures such as withholding funding or revoking licenses are far less favored, with only 5% ranking this as their top choice (average score of 4.03). Similarly, a hands-off approach by ODE garners little support, with just 8% ranking it as their first choice (average score of 4.00).

(GRAPH ATTACHED: Q30-37 Graph)

When it comes to strategic planning and deciding investments for local schools, Oregonians emphasize the importance of gathering input from a range of stakeholders—especially educators, school staff, students, and families.

• Oregonians view educators and school staff as the most important people to engage (average score of 19 out of 100). Student engagement follows closely (average score of 18), and engaging students’ families is seen as only slightly less important (average score of 16) (Q30–Q37).

On average, Oregonians assign at least 10 points out of 100 to each stakeholder group, underscoring the value of input from all stakeholders. A majority of respondents gave every group a minimum of 10 points.

• Interestingly, while students receive a higher average score than families, they were also more likely than families to receive a score below 10.
• School board members and other community members are the groups most likely to receive fewer than 10 points, likely reflecting community engagement concerns expressed in the open-ended responses to Q1.

Notably, all groups received the maximum 100 points from at least one respondent with the exception of school board members, whose highest score was 70.

• Students were most likely to receive the full 100 points (2%), followed by families (1%). The relatively small percentage of respondents who allotted the full 100 points to a single group indicates strong support for broad community engagement with no specific group dominating the process. The somewhat even dispersal of points among all groups underscores the widespread support for involving all stakeholders in shaping strategic direction and investments for local schools.

Value of Community Engagement in K-12 Education

Most Oregonians agree that community engagement helps schools make better decisions (Q1). Proponents often emphasize the benefits of drawing on the community’s broad base of knowledge, experience, and diverse perspectives to develop a comprehensive understanding of student needs. Many respondents discuss community engagement as a way of holding school districts accountable, while others highlight the duty of school districts to serve the broader community by asking for their input (Q1).

“Yes, I believe it helps, because we are able to hold the districts accountable, and make sure they do what is in the best interest of our children.”

Woman, age 30-44, Klamath County, White

“Yes I do. Not just parents and teachers, but education involves an entire community. The success of students impacts everyone. There is a wealth of knowledge within the community that should be heard and considered.”

Man, age 75+, Multnomah County, White

“Yes! Education doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Community engagement is needed, and the needs/wants of that community should be supported (as long as it is in the best interest of the students & equitable).”

Non-binary or gender non-conforming, age 18-29, Tillamook County, White

Yes. School districts should reflect the needs of the communities they serve.”

Man, age 30-44, Umatilla County, Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native, White

Still, some Oregonians express mixed or negative feelings about community involvement, citing concerns over logistical challenges and the credibility of community members in guiding educational decisions. Many Oregonians also worry about the possibility of community input being improperly politicized or selfishly motivated (Q1). 

“Not really. Too many of the people wanting to have input have not taken advantage of a decent education themselves and are only repeating what their current “leaders” spout.”

Woman, age 65-74, Clackamas County, White

“I believe that it can help schools make better decisions, however it requires a lot from both sides. Community members are not always well-informed and schools do not always listen or act.  Schools may be operating with other priorities in mind.”

Woman, age 55-64, Deschutes County, White

“No. Most do not want to do the hard work of learning about school finance, debt/debt service, collective bargaining or the myriad state & federal regulatory requirements to be fluent enough to participate, let alone contribute. School districts don’t have the staff time to effectively provide this either. Instead, for better or worse, relying on elected boards & volunteer budget committees remains the best source for outside input.”

Man, age 65-74, Multnomah County, White

“Not really, education should be decided by experts and those employed in education.”

Man, age 30-44, Multnomah County, Asian and Hispanic or Latino/a/x

• People connected to Oregon’s education system—whether through their own employment or that of someone else in their household—are enthusiastic about community engagement and its benefits. However, they also express a slightly higher level of concern about both the effectiveness and the practical challenges of community engagement compared to those not connected to the education system through employment.
• People whose households include students from historically underserved communities respond similarly to those who do not have these students at home. Both segments agree on the importance of community engagement to educational outcomes, recognize accountability as a key benefit, and value diverse perspectives. However, people with ties to historically underserved students are more likely to be skeptical about the effectiveness of community engagement efforts that lack a rigorous and equitable process. They place greater emphasis on ensuring school district decisions are constructively informed by the lived experience and expertise of community members, and that community engagement processes authentically include the voices of historically underserved students and families.

Hopes for Improving K-12 Education

When discussing their greatest hopes for improving K-12 education, many Oregonians emphasize how important it is for schools to offer practical experiences that align with students’ career interests. Others focus on equipping students with a versatile set of foundational skills (like reading and basic math; social and emotional learning; and critical thinking skills) in preparation for the future. Oregonians also mention concerns over teacher shortages, the declining mental health of students, school safety, the politicization of the school environment, and students being left behind academically (Q2).

“They can give them practical experiences in the fields they want to pursue.”

Man, age 45-54, Coos County, White

“To be well versed and ready to go to college, or to start a career with what knowledge they have.”

Woman, age 30-44, Crook County, Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native, White

“Simply hire more teachers because there is a lack of teachers there’s a lack of students being able to learn at a high rate of education. Unfortunately, a lot of kids are looked over. It needs to be a better monitoring system for kids from K12.”

Man, age 55-64, Marion County, Black or African American

“My greatest hope is that the adults in our local communities can come together and agree on common goals and standards for our children to work towards, removed from political strategizing and social engineering.”

Woman, age 45-54, Yamhill County, White

“Children’s mental health is at high risk according to long term statistical trends (I am a mental health provider and keep up with research.) My greatest hope is that students have ready access to counseling and are taught mental health care in health classes. Parents need to be offered training in how to manage in mental health for their families in their household.”

Woman, age 65-74, Multnomah County, White

“Above all, teach critical thinking skills. Young people need to be prepared to function in a complex and difficult society that is constantly changing.”

Man, age 55-64, Washington County, Prefer not to answer

“I hope that it can be a safe place for students of all kinds.”

Man, age 30-44, Clackamas County, Asian

• People with a household relationship to historically underserved students generally have similar hopes for education system improvements as people who have no students in their households or whose students are not considered historically underserved. However, they place are a stronger emphasis on hiring more diverse educators and on promoting equitable and inclusive learning environments.
• Oregonians employed in education—or with household members employed in education—stressed the value of addressing the inadequacies of the current funding model (especially in regard to administrative costs); strengthening teacher and student support; and shifting away from standardized, one-size-fits-all approaches. They also cited the importance of personalized learning, mental health support, community engagement, and reevaluating traditional educational models.
• Respondents who are connected to the education field and those who aren’t both call for equitable access to quality education along with a more supportive and responsive educational environment.

Research Methodology

The online survey, which took approximately 10 minutes, was completed by 1,626 Oregon residents ages 18+. This is a sufficient sample size to assess general opinions as well as to review findings by multiple subgroups.

Respondents were contacted through professionally maintained online panels. Quality control measures included questionnaire pre-testing, validation, and real-time response monitoring. A representative sample was achieved by setting demographic quotas and weighing data by area of the state, gender, age, race/ethnicity, and education.

Statement of Limitations

Any sampling of opinions or attitudes is subject to margin of error—a standard statistical calculation of differences between the sample and total population at a confidence interval (or probability) calculated as 95%. This means that there is a 95% probability that the sample taken for this study would fall within the stated margin of error if compared with the results of surveying the entire population. This survey’s margin of error for the full sample is ±2.43%.  

SALEM, Ore – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) response to the homelessness crisis and its innovative strategies to preserve affordable housing earn the state agency two coveted awards at the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) conference. OHCS received the Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness and the Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation awards.

OHCS ended the first year of the emergency homelessness response by surpassing the initial goals related to preventing homelessness, creating shelter capacity, and rehousing people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The state and housing partners created more than 1,000 shelter beds, rehoused over 1,400 households, and prevented more than 9,000 people from experiencing homelessness.  

“In so many ways, housing is connected to the meaning of life. Making everyday life better for people and communities across Oregon begins with securing the fundamentals, like housing,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, we are getting it done. We are grateful to our state and local partners that stepped up in a significant way to improve lives and strengthen Oregon.”

OHCS was also recognized for implementing innovative strategies to help keep rents at prices people can pay in housing developments where affordable rents are close to expiring. The agency created a first-of-its-kind Preservation Framework and Dashboard. The Preservation Framework wraps all preservation-related topics into one document. The Preservation Dashboard makes preservation data easily accessible to housing partners across the state and country.

“While affordable housing preservation does not tend to garner ribbon cutting ceremonies, having proactive and robust strategies to maintain affordability and addressing the physical needs of existing properties is directly connected to our shared housing goals,” said Bell.

OHCS created the Preservation Framework and Dashboard after meeting with many preservation partners and incorporating their thoughts and feedback.  

el comunicado de prensa en español 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. Visit OHCS’ website for more information. 

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BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training will be live streaming all public meetings via YouTube. Meetings will no longer be streamed on Facebook. To view the Board's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Meeting Minutes

Approve minutes from the July 25, 2024, Meeting

3. Fire Policy Committee

a. Fire Policy Committee Update – Dan Lenzen, Chair

b. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Proposed Rule changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-009-0087

DPSST Accreditation of Fire Service Agency Training Programs

B. Committee Appointments

Fire Policy Committee

• Rose Douglass – Oregon Fire Instructor Association, Appointment to the FPC, 2nd term effective October 27, 2024.
• Andre Lindauer – Public Member, Appointment to the FPC, 2nd term effective January 26, 2025.

4. Criminal Justice Policy Committees

a. Police Policy Committee Update – Scotty Nowning, Chair

b. Telecommunications Policy Committee Update – Michael Fletcher, Chair

c. Corrections Policy Committee Update – Matthew English, Chair

d. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Nicholas Alberts, DPSST No. 58569; Multnomah County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

B. Rachel Bonine, DPSST No. 56768; Lake County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

C. Milan Fietz, DPSST No. 46944; DOC/Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

D. Traci Hubler, DPSST No. 45406; Clatsop County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

E. Mark Mahlum, DPSST No. 36794; Coos County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

F. Steven Mayberry, DPSST No. 22901; Salem Police Department Office – Revoke

Eleven (11) to one recusal (1) vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

G. Ryan McKone, DPSST No. 48453; Washington County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

H. Nathaniel Medeiros, DPSST No. 58231; Independence Police Department – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

I. Nicholas Mitchell, DPSST No. 58076; DOC/Santiam Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

J. Brian Needham, DPSST No. 33137; Harney County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

K. Diego Saldana, DPSST No. 62469; DOC/Two Rivers Correctional Institution – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

L. Quinn Sansom, DPSST No. 62175; Corvallis Police Department – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

M. Bonnie Smythe, DPSST No. 60693; DOC/Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

N. Daniel Surmi, DPSST No. 55998; Oregon State Police – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

O. Lewis Topinka, DPSST No. 46866; Oregon State Police – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

P. Amanda Vincent, DPSST No. 60425; DOC/Deer Ridge Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

Q. Luis Vivanco, DPSST No. 63585; DOC/Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on August 13, 2024.

R. Evan Wallace, DPSST No. 59773; Tillamook County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

S. Tyler Whitely, DPSST No. 52170; Washington County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on August 22, 2024.

T. Request to Reinstate Telecommunication Workgroup for Field Training Manual Update Recommendation

U. Committee Appointments

Police Policy Committee

• Teresa Livingston – OSP Command Staff Representative, Appointment to the PPC, 1st term effective October 24, 2024.

Corrections Policy Committee

• Margeux Bowden – Non-Management Corrections Officer, Re-appointment to the CPC, 2nd term effective January 26, 2025.
• Erin Reyes – Department of Corrections Superintendent, Re-appointment to the CPC, 2nd term effective November 7, 2024.

Telecommunications Policy Committee

• Ronda Griffin – EMS Section APCO/NENA, Re-appointment to the TPC, 2nd term effective October 27, 2024.

e. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-012-0010 and OAR 259-012-0035

Amending the Standards and Processes for Student Suspension or Dismissal from the Academy

Presented by Jennifer Howald

5. Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee

a. Private Security Investigator Policy Committee Update – Dan Lenzen, Chair

b. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 259-059-0070, 259-060-0500, and OAR 259-061-0010

Fee Increases for the Private Security Entity, Private Security Provider, and Private Investigator Certification and Licensure Programs

Presented by Jennifer Howald

A. Committee Appointments

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee

• Nate Nakasone – Unarmed Security Representative, Re-appointment to the PSIPC, 2nd term effective October 25, 2024.

6. Agency Updates – Agency Director, Phil Castle

7. Next Meeting Date: January 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
 

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Board members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

SALEM, Ore. — The Compliance Monitoring Program Committee will hold a virtual meeting Thursday, Oct. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Reforestation final report
• Roads & steep slopes rule selection

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Zoom. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by emailing ta.L.FriasBedolla@odf.oregon.gov">marta.l.friasbedolla@odf.oregon.gov.

The CMP Committee assists efforts to monitor compliance with Forest Practices Rules. The committee advises ODF regarding monitoring projects and procedures. View more information on the CMPC webpage.

Astoria, Ore. – The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will meet on October 17 and 18 at the Ten Fifteen Theater in Astoria’s Odd Fellows Building, 1001 Commercial St, Astoria, OR 97103, to consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The SACHP meeting is hybrid and open to the public. 

The meeting agenda includes guided tours, presentations, and hearings of four proposed nominations. The guided tours are scheduled for Thursday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m., and the business meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18. Anyone may attend the meeting in person or virtually; instructions on how to attend virtually are posted on the commission web page. Registration is required to speak at the meeting. Instructions to register to speak can be found here.

On Friday, October 18, the committee will review four proposed nominations beginning at 1:00 p.m.: the Burkes-Belluschi House and the Juniper House in Portland, Multnomah County; the Lee-Janouch House in Medford, Jackson County; and the Edward and Anne McLean House in West Linn, Clackamas County. For estimated hearing times, please refer to the online agenda: www.oregonheritage.org (click on “Commissions & Committees” at top of page and look under “State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation”).

The SACHP is a nine-member governor-appointed citizen commission with credentials in many historic preservation-related fields. Nominations recommended by the SACHP go to the National Park Service, which maintains the Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

This effort aligns with the Oregon Historic Preservation Plan goal to increase the thematic diversity of Oregon properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It also supports the goals to include more voices and increase access to Oregon heritage that are part of the Oregon Heritage Plan. 

The meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be made with at least three days of advance notice by calling (503) 986-0690. 

More information about the National Register of Historic Places process is online at www.oregonheritage.org.