The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Monday, January 8, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TUESDAY TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET... * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected above 2000 feet. Total snow accumulations of up to 12 inches, with up to 24 inches possible over the highest terrain. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...The foothills of the Cascade, Siskiyou, and Klamath mountains in Douglas, Jackson, and eastern Curry counties, including the Tiller-Trail highway and portions of Interstate 5 and highways 62 and 140 above 2000 feet. * WHEN...From 1 AM Tuesday to 4 PM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Blowing snow could cause whiteout conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant winter weather impacts are also possible for all the Interstate 5 passes between Grants Pass and Canyonville if snow levels are only 100 to 200 feet lower than expected. The most likely time for this to occur will be Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
• A series of winter storms is expected to hit the West coast, bringing heavy snowfall and dangerous road conditions, with 3-4 feet of snow predicted for mountainous areas over the next week.
• Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the Pacific Coast mountains, including the Cascades, Siskiyous, and Sierra Nevada, with significant snowfall and gusty winds forecasted.
• Coastal regions are facing High Surf Advisories with the potential for high waves and minor coastal flooding due to the combination of powerful waves and higher than normal tides.
• The Interstate 5 corridor lowlands will experience rainfall, with varying amounts expected along the coast, and cold air will bring lower temperatures, possibly leading to snow even at lower elevations.
• The weather pattern includes a potential arctic blast from Canada that could bring record cold temperatures and snowfall to sea level locations later in the week.
A wave of precipitation moves onshore early this morning, with the coast seeing rain and snow for the foothills and higher elevations. Snow will continue to push inland with our first wave tonight before a cold front moves onshore late Monday and into Tuesday for the immediate west coast of Oregon and Washington. And then again on Wednesday another piece of energy with snow and rain moves onshore. Ultimately, the next three days will be wet, windy and messy for the Pacific Northwest.
ROAD CONDITIONS: TripCheck
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Patient Deaths Investigations Continue
Reports that a nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center may have sparked fatal infections of patients by replacing fentanyl with tap water in their IV bags have sparked national attention.
For patients, the victims’ relatives, and others in Oregon health care, the reports are sparking questions as well. It now appears that the deaths linked to the Medford hospital occurred over a span of at least 12 months.
Hospital administrators and local law enforcement have not named the suspected employee and released few other details. No indictments have been filed publicly in the case.
Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of Replacing Fentanyl with Tap Water Leading to at least 10 Patient Deaths and “Dozens of Patients” Harmed
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it is involved with an investigation at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The FBI said it’s aware of allegations there under investigation by local police.
This after some sources say as many as ten people have died. Multiple hospital sources, who declined to be identified, confirmed dozens of patients injured by medication diversion — the act of replacing a medication with another substance. It is believed the fentanyl scheduled to be administered to the patients was then removed from the premises illegally.
Sources allege that a hospital nurse was removing fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with tap water. The FBI said today it is supporting local police with their work.
Asante issued a statement during the weekend that, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”
Multiple sources also say that water supplies in the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit — which are in an older part of the hospital — are unsafe for use on patients, even for face washing. The hospital made numerous public statements during 2023 pertaining to infections and water quality issues.
OHA state agency is part of an investigation now at a Medford hospital, where local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating allegations of nursing behavior that could have been deadly.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) says today it’s “aware of reports of incidents at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford involving a nurse alleged to have tampered with pharmaceutical fentanyl used to treat severe pain and introduced tap water in patients’ intravenous lines. OHA also is investigating reports that the incidents led to health care-associated infections that severely injured, and may have caused the deaths of, several patients.”
OHA has a Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program that, “conducts HAI surveillance in Oregon health care facilities,” working with partners including health care facilities to respond to and contain potential HAI outbreaks.
• A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is accused of replacing fentanyl with tap water, leading to the deaths of approximately ten patients.
• The tap water injections allegedly caused Pseudomonas infections, which can result in severe conditions like sepsis and pneumonia.
• The act of substituting medications, known as “drug diversion,” is a problem in the medical field, with fentanyl being one of the most commonly diverted drugs.
• No charges have been filed yet, but police are actively investigating the incident.
• The hospital has reported the issue to law enforcement, but details such as the exact number of affected patients have not been officially confirmed.
A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford allegedly swapped medication with tap water, resulting in the death of approximately ten patients, NBC5 reported.
Sources say the nurse used tap water to cover up the hospital’s misuse of medication. Unnamed hospital sources said “dozens of patients” had been harmed by the replacement of their meds with another substance.
Citing several anonymous sources, NBC5 reported that at least ten patients at the Medford hospital were allegedly injected with tap water in an attempt to cover up a nurse’s misuse of fentanyl, a pain medication.
According to NBC5, sources within the hospital said that the tap water, which is not sterile, led to Pseudomonas infections.
The Medical Center’s intensive care unit reported that up to nine or ten people caught infections and later died. The tap water that was used in the injections was reportedly not sterile and led to multiple infections of pseudomonas, which can be very dangerous to those with weak immune systems.
“It could cause sepsis, pneumonia, it could infect all the organs, so it could be a very severe infection,” said Dr. Robin Miller. The Asante Rogue Medical Center released a statement saying, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”
As of press time, no one was arrested or charged, and Medford Police provided no more details. They only confirmed there’s an open investigation at the medical center.
5 things to know about Medford hospital employee’s alleged fentanyl diversion
Fatal Crash — Interstate 5 — Jackson County
On Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a multiple-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 5, near milepost 35, in Jackson County.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the Chevrolet Suburban, operated by Helen Marie Cain (64) of Central Point, crashed into the center wire barrier for unknown reasons. The initial crash led to multiple subsequent crashes within the same scene. A total of nine vehicles from the crash scene were damaged.
The operator of a Toyota Tercel, Douglas James Flood (81) of Gold Hill, was pronounced deceased following transport to a local hospital. Flood was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The operator of the Chevrolet Suburban (Cain) and Courtney Marie Clark (38) of Grants Pass, the driver of a Ford Focus involved in the crash, were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Six additional vehicles were damaged in the crash with no reported injuries:
- Mercedes Van operated by Darren Mitchell Brown (36) of Lebanon
- Honda CR-V operated by Brandi Lynn Teske Williams (56) of Grants Pass
- Ford F-150 operated by Leo Jackson (71) of Central Point
- Honda Civic operated by Frances Hammond (76) of Eugene
- Honda CR-V operated by Erich Martin Buer (53) of Grants Pass
- Ford Mustang operated by Kody Aaron Cox (47) of Grants Pass
The freeway was impacted, and traffic was detoured, for approximately five hours due to the crash.
OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Fire Department, Mercy Flights, Central Point Police Department, Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
1/5/2024 First Structure Fire of the Year for Illinois Valley Fire District
Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County, responded to the inital dispatch of a house on fire.
Once arriving units were in the area, there was an issue with a blocked driveway. Crews made entry, and stretched out a hose line to extinguish the barn that was on fire, and not a house.
The Rural Metro engine was cancelled and covered the district.
Fire has been overhauled and crew will come back for re-inspections, to make sure no fire is present.
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PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040
PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.
Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Missing part of the Alaska Airlines aircraft that blew off mid-flight has been found in a backyard in Portland.
Federal investigators had been searching for the door plug since it blew off an Alaska Airlines aircraft after taking off from Portland on Friday, leading to the nationwide grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and a slew of flight cancellations.
A Portland school teacher named Bob reached out to the agency after he found the missing Boeing 737 MAX 9 fuselage door plug in his yard, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a news conference.
The agency had asked for the public’s help finding the part and had plans of possibly using a helicopter or drones to continue the search Sunday. Homendy had explained locating the missing part would provide key clues as to why it separated from the airplane.
Federal investigators earlier had released their first image from inside the aircraft that was left with a refrigerator-sized hole mid-flight, and it shows a headrest torn from a nearby seat and oxygen masks still hanging from the plane’s ceiling.
No passengers during the Friday flight were seated directly next to the section of the plane that blew off, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Saturday.
“It’s fortunate that nobody died and there were not more serious injuries,” Homendy told CNN after touring the aircraft. Investigators were preparing to interview the flight crew, she said.
The refrigerator-sized hole that suddenly opened up on the aircraft carrying 177people from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, Friday sent panic throughout the planeas the cabin depressurized, oxygen masks descended and passengers screamed and texted their goodbyes. The plane landed safely with no serious injuries reported, authorities said.
The ordeal resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to temporarily ground certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft until they are carefully inspected. Boeing has faced a string of setbacks in recent years, most notably a 2019 grounding in dozens of countries following two tragic crashes.
Alaska Airlines said Saturday night that emergency inspections of its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes “will take more time,” warning flight disruptions will likely continue.
The number of Alaska Airlines cancellations has added up since the ordeal. The airline said Saturday afternoon that 160 flights — affecting roughly 23,000 travelers — had been canceled. In a Sunday update, the airline said 170 flights that day had been canceled and another 60 had been axed for Monday.
“Cancellations will continue through the first half of the week, and we encourage guests with travel plans to continue to check their email and alaskaair.com for updates,” the airline said.
United Airlines also saw triple-digit cancellations with 270 flights axed this weekend, according to the airline. United said it also suspended services on all its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and was “working with the FAA to clarify the inspection process and the requirements for returning all MAX 9 aircraft to service.” United said it has 79 of the aircraft in its fleet.
In the meantime, investigators are beginning to dig into the Alaska plane’s maintenance records, among other components, as they look into the mishap.
On Tuesday, Boeing is scheduled to hold an all-employee meeting at its 737 Max factory in Renton, Washington, “focused on safety” and the company’s response to the accident, Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun said in a company-wide email.
“It is critical for us to work transparently with our customers and regulators to understand and address the causes of the event and to ensure they don’t happen again,” Calhoun said in the email. (SOURCE)
Advanced Practice Providers of OHSU Move to Unionize
Nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurse midwives cite degrading working conditions, increased pressure to generate revenue as reasons for taking action
(Portland, Ore.) – Today, more than 600 advanced practice providers (APP) from across the OHSU system announced their intent to join a union and delivered their declaration to hospital administration demanding to be recognized. Members of the group work at OHSU locations across the state including Portland, Eugene, The Dalles and Klamath Falls and include nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician associates serving as faculty and caring for patients in areas such as family practice, cardiology and oncology. They intend to join the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) which already represents more than 3000 RNs in the OHSU system.
“My colleagues and I care for patients across the OHSU system, while our work may vary from one department to the next, we all feel a lack of respect from administration. There is no focus on retention. We are pushed to our limit and it’s not sustainable,” said Heather Reed, a nurse practitioner in family medicine. “For me, the time pressure is extreme and relentless. Rarely do I complete all my charts or do paperwork during the day. After a hard day’s work, I often go home with more to do than I did at the start. I love being a nurse practitioner. I love working with patients and part of that is assuring patients have the best care and best access. Right now, that’s compromised.”
The organizing effort at OHSU is the most recent, in a continuous wave of healthcare workers from across the state, representing multiple health systems seeking to unionize. APPs at OHSU are asking for a compensation system that reflects the complexity and diversity of their positions, the agency to discuss productivity goals and expectations with management, recognition for their roles in improving patient care and access to care, and the time and financial support to pursue educational and faculty advancement opportunities.
“I am very concerned about how healthcare systems are shifting priorities toward profits. It’s unethical and erodes trust from patients and frontline providers alike. PAs and NPs at OHSU are widely invisible to the institution despite being foundational for every aspect of healthcare and healthcare system functionality. We try very hard to maintain a high standard for ourselves to provide not only the best patient care we can, but the best access to care for the community. Regrettably, we are rewarded with increased workload and responsibility and lower pay which inevitably leads to APPs leaving. We owe it to ourselves and our community to do all we can to push for change,” said Carmen Henderson, a physician associate in cardiology. “We must unionize so we have a seat at the table. As frontline health professionals, we should have a say in how we operate and deliver care. By taking this step now, we can improve the work/life balance for all APPs at OHSU and in turn, stem the tide of providers leaving for less demanding and better-paying positions, or leaving healthcare altogether.”
As public employees, the union recognition process can happen voluntarily if OHSU agrees or through a card check (union authorization cards) that is handled by Oregon’s Employment Relations Board (ERB).
In October 2023, ONA-represented nurses at OHSU voted to approve a new contract after ten months of negotiations. Nurses secured significant wage increases, guaranteed minimum staffing standards, improved workplace safety protections, the right to bargain the impacts of a merger with Legacy Health system and full retro pay.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is the state’s largest and most influential nursing organization. We are a professional association and labor union that represents more than 17,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state, including more than 3000 frontline nurses at OHSU. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
Oregon Seeing Spikes In Influenza And COVID-19
Oregon was lagging a bit behind most of the country, but now it’s experiencing a spike in flu and COVID cases.
From Dec. 16 through Dec. 23, flu cases nearly doubled in Oregon. COVID-19 test positivity jumped by more than 50% from Dec. 16 through Dec. 30. And from last week to this week, adults in acute care hospital beds due to COVID jumped by 30%, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
RSV season has been underway since early November, but cases have stayed relatively flat at around 11% positivity. Meanwhile, the past year saw a big drop in vaccinations in the state. Less than 14% of Oregonians got the latest COVID vaccine.
Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, said people may have gotten tired of hearing and thinking about respiratory viruses, but the viruses are not going away.
“They’re still very much with us and they’re putting people in the hospital every day here in Oregon,” Cieslak said.
COVID-19 cases are rising statewide, he added. As far as the flu, the biggest spikes right now are in southwestern Oregon. But that, too, has made its way to every part of the state.
Cieslak noted that nearly everyone qualifies for flu and COVID vaccines. He added that there are RSV medications for children, and RSV vaccines available for people who are over 60 years old or are pregnant.
And he said good respiratory hygiene — like staying home if you’re sick, covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands often — can also help stop the spread of respiratory viruses. (SOURCE)
Oregon Veteran Home Loan Maximum Loan Limit Increases to $766,550 in 2024
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) has increased the maximum home loan limit for the Oregon Veteran Home Loan for 2024, conforming to loan limits for mortgages set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). ODVA will now accept loans up to the new maximum loan amount of $766,550, an increase of $40,350 from $726,200 in 2023, for funding on or after January 1, 2024.
The Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program, which has been one of ODVA’s core veteran benefits since the agency’s inception in 1945, offers eligible veterans fixed-rate financing for owner-occupied, single-family residences.
The veteran home loan product is a non-expiring, lifetime benefit for any eligible Oregon veteran and may be used up to four times. The program provides financing for purchases only and cannot be used for refinancing.
This state veteran home loan benefit is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guarantee and has lent nearly $9 billion in low-interest home loans to more than 336,000 veterans since 1945. To be eligible, a veteran must have served on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, as documented on their DD-214, and must meet one of the service criteria outlined on ODVA’s website.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Home Loan Program, program eligibility, or to find a partner broker near you, please call (800) 633-6826 to speak with a loan specialist or visit www.orvethomeloans.com.
Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.
Governor Kotek Says Coordinated Care Organizations Will Pitch In $25 Million For Psychiatric Treatment Beds Saying That The Funds Will Focus On Services For Youth
After making record profits over the COVID-19 pandemic, the companies that administer Oregon’s Medicaid plan will commit $25 million to expand behavioral health services in the state. Gov. Tina Kotek’s office announced the plan on Thursday, saying that the funds will focus on services for youth.
“Oregon needs more treatment options to help young people in our state who are struggling with serious behavioral health issues,” Governor Kotek said. “The state and CCOs developed a plan to reinvest surplus Medicaid dollars into Oregon communities, and this partnership will support youth behavioral health projects that we desperately need.”
Oregon offers health insurance to low-income residents and people with disabilities through the Oregon Health Plan, an expansion of Medicaid. But the plan is offered through a number companies, called coordinated care organizations (CCOs), that operate regionally throughout the state.
CCOs made “record, unanticipated profits” during the pandemic, Kotek’s office said. While they demonstrated that funds are being reinvested into the community, Kotek’s office said she asked that they work together to specifically put another $25 million into behavioral health services.
The Oregon Health Authority, CCOs and health care providers signed a memorandum of understanding on the partnership Thursday.
“I commend CCOs for working as a system to be a part of the solution for our statewide challenges,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s behavioral health director. “These investments will help spur and close projects that will propel the state forward in closing key program gaps that have been exacerbated by fentanyl in recent years. I look forward to this partnership making a real difference in Oregon communities.”
In the Portland metro area, $13.2 million will go to Trillium Family Services in order to expand capacity for psychiatric residential treatment beds. Another $2.3 million will go to expand that capacity in Lane County through Looking Glass Community Services.
Funding will also go to more rural areas of the state. In Douglas County, $7.5 million goes to a project by Adapt Integrated Health Care, which is already working on a new campus to support more treatment beds. Out in Morrow County, $2 million will go to a Community Counseling Solutions project in order to close a funding gap for new residential treatment beds.
“This resource will result in access to life saving care for those who need it, when they need it,” said Dr. Greg Brigham, CEO of Adapt.
According to Brigham, the funding will enable them to replace antiquated facilities and more than triple residential treatment capacity from 40 beds to about 118 beds, located on a 40-acre campus just east of Roseburg.
“We are excited to see the positive impact that these investments will make in our state,” added Sean Jessup, CEO of Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization. (SOURCE)
*** UPDATE *** Detectives Investigating New Year’s Day Shooting in Mt. Angel
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Oregon, is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect who shot and killed a man in Mt. Angel, on January 1, 2024.
The suspect in the shooting has been identified as Agustin Barocio (42) from Mt. Angel. Agustin Barocio is described as 5’2” and approximately 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His Oregon DMV photo is attached.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the incident to contact Detective Jessica Van Horn at 503-584-6211. The case is featured on Crime Stoppers of Oregon. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information reported to Crime Stoppers of Oregon that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime, and tipsters can remain anonymous. Secure and anonymous tips can be left at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or you can visit the app store and download P3 tips for smartphones or tablets.
Information about the location of the suspect can be submitted directly through Crime Stoppers or by calling Detective Jessica Van Horn and 503-584-6211. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting the words TIPMCSO and your tip to 847411.
Information learned from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube should be shared as these tips may lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects. Links can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Manage state benefits with the Oregon ONE Mobile app
People can now securely manage their medical, food, cash and child care benefits through the State of Oregon from the convenience of their mobile devices using the new Oregon ONE Mobile app. People first will need to apply for benefits online, in person at a local office or over the phone.
The app is available for free in the Apple and Android app stores. It is an official State of Oregon app created by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The app’s development was partially funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“At ODHS we are committed to meeting people in Oregon where they are with as many ways as possible to manage their benefits, check application status and share needed documentation, like when they get a request for information during a renewal,” said Nathan Singer (he/him), director of the ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership. “People can now manage their benefits in-person, by mail, by fax, by telephone, online and on their mobile phone using the Oregon ONE Mobile app, which is available in English and Spanish.”
Interview with OEP Director Singer available on YouTube
Oregon ONE Mobile app video on YouTube
New Oregon ONE Mobile app video link
- Create a ONE Online account.
- Access their existing ONE Online account.
- Report changes to household information including address, contact information and income.
- Upload requested documents using a smartphone camera.
- Get updates on application status and check if it is approved, denied, or pending, and what actions might need to be taken.
- See and download notices that were mailed.
- Find the next renewal date for their benefits.
- Get important, time-sensitive alerts and notifications about benefits on mobile devices.
- View benefit issuance history for food and cash payments.
People who serve as Authorized Representatives for people with benefits are also able to use the app.
How to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits:
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted.
- Online at: benefits.oregon.gov
- Through the free Oregon ONE Mobile app available on Apple and Android app stores
- In person at an office near you: Find an office.
- In your language: Help in Your Language
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
- By fax at: 503-378-5628
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov.
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
- Oregon Department of Human Services help center
About the Oregon Department of Human Services
The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
About the Oregon Eligibility Partnership
The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. OEP supports state staff who determine eligibility for people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash and child care benefits. It also manages the ONE Eligibility System used to process applications and deliver benefits to eligible individuals and families in Oregon. One in three people in Oregon receive benefits through the ONE Eligibility System. OEP administers the ONE Eligibility system in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).###
